PLANS have been hatched by a Peeblesshire business-owner to save the Post Office in Innerleithen.

Less than two weeks ago, the Peeblesshire News revealed that the previous Post Office concession, located within the Daymart newsagent’s on the High Street had closed following the resignation of the post master.

It has emerged this week, that business-owner Andrew Caldwell has thrown his hat into the ring in order to bring the service back to the town.

Mr Caldwell, of Caldwell’s Homemade Ice Cream, told the Peeblesshire News: “It’s early days but I’m in talks with the Post Office to bring the service into my store in Innerleithen.

“I don’t think a one-morning a week mobile service is enough for a town of this size, and not everyone has the means to get to Peebles or Walkerburn on a daily basis.”

"Meanwhile residents have wrote to councillors with their objections to the proposed mobile service from the Post Office for Innerleithen.
A six-week consultation was launched earlier this month and closes on Friday, March 24.

Councillor Graham Garvie told us: “In my view, the proposed service is totally inadequate to serve the needs of a growing population and a prosperous town.

“Providing a Post Office service for only three and half hours a week out of a van in a car park at the extreme west end of the town will inconvenience many people, particularly the elderly and disabled, which would be made much worse by exposure to the elements on the not infrequent occasions of inclement and cold weather in a very exposed car park.

“I have written to the Post Office expressing my concerns at the plans and I am urging them abandon the proposal for a mobile service and locate the Post Office within the Caldwell’s Shop, or in some other suitable retail premises in the High Street, thus providing a daily service to the residents and the many passers by who stop at that shop.”

The Peeblesshire News contacted the Post Office but were unable to comment on the plans.

Submissions can be made by the public during the consultation period by Freepost  to YOUR COMMENTS to Post Office Ltd, via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, via the Customer Helpline on 03457 22 33 44 or Textphone 03457 22 33 55. 

Customers can also share their views online at postofficeviews.co.uk using the Innerleithen branch code (19683099).