CONCERNS have been raised following the announcement of another Post Office closure in East Renfrewshire.

Post Office bosses confirmed the branch at The Avenue, in Newton Mearns, is to close “for the foreseeable” from Saturday, September 14, due to the current owner resigning.

Residents across East Renfrewshire have been faced with several Post Office closures in recent years, with Barrhead’s Main Street losing its service last summer.

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Branches in Eaglesham and at the Broom Burn shops, in Newton Mearns, have also closed.

Eastwood MSP Jackson Carlaw and East Renfrewshire MP Paul Masterton have now written to Post Office bosses to express their concerns over the latest blow to services.

Mr Masterton said: “It’s hugely disappointing that the highly-valued Post Office service at The Avenue is to close.

“This is a real blow to residents who have already seen services lost with the closure of the Post Office at the Broom shops last year.

“Easy access to the Post Office is of vital concern to many people and we have stressed in our letter that restoring provision in the local area must be a priority.

“I have met with many local sub-postmasters from across East Renfrewshire who have all said they struggle to make offering a Post Office in their shop a viable business operation, with many of the services effectively being provided at a loss.

“I will continue to lobby Government Ministers and the Post Office to wake up to the impact of these closures on communities and look seriously at the current funding model, so we can get the local network back.”

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In the absence of a postal service being present at The Avenue, customers are being directed to Crookfur Post Office, in Harvie Avenue, and the Fenwick Road branch in Giffnock.

Mr Carlaw said: “Newton Mearns has been badly impacted by the withdrawal of postal services over the past couple of years.

“Paul and I have written to the Post Office regarding the temporary closure at The Avenue and stressed the importance of efforts to find a new retail partner being stepped up.

“With the long-term temporary removal of other postal services such as at Broomvale and Eaglesham, the possibility of a lengthy period with no alternative operator being found for the branch at The Avenue will be a concern for many people living locally."