CONCERNS for elderly residents in Neilston have been raised following the sudden closure of the village’s only Post Office.

Last week, the Barrhead News revealed Post Office bosses imposed a temporary closure of the branch, contained within the Shopsmart store in Main Street.

And, at the latest meeting of Neilston Community Council, members voiced their concerns that older people may find it difficult travelling to Barrhead to use the Post Office in Cross Arthurlie Street.

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Robert Mould, chair of the community council, told the meeting: “When I was outside the shop, there was an elderly gentleman who asked what had happened and was concerned about how he would get his money.

“He told me he was in his 80s and he comes to the Post Office to get his money and now he’ll have to go down to Barrhead.”

Stacey Crabbe added: “A lot of the elderly population use the Post Office for banking and posting parcels and other day-to-day business.

“Also, if you’ve got a parcel coming from Royal Mail and they can’t deliver it, you’ll have to go to Barrhead.

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“You’ve got the elderly population going all the way to Barrhead, potentially lifting out their pension and then coming all the way back up with it – and, if you’re relying on public transport, you could be waiting a while.”

Post Office refused to explain why the closure has taken place when contacted by the Barrhead News.

Councillor Paul O’Kane, who represents Neilston, and East Renfrewshire MP Paul Masterton have both written to the company to seek answers.

A spokesperson for the Post Office apologised for any inconvenience to customers and said it is “working hard” to restore services for the community as quickly as possible.