Last week the Post Office decided to go ahead with closures of 10 branches across Fife, including the popular Pathhead Post Office which serves Commercial Street and the surrounding area.

There are over 30 small businesses and non-profit organisations in the street, many of whom use the facility on a regular basis.

David McHutchon of Midnight Oil Books is one of those who uses the post office every day.

He said: "We do a lot of business over the internet, which is a great way to supplement the income of the bookshop, and means the post office is essential for sending our goods.

"However, it is more than that, one of the main benefits of the post office is the people it brings into the street. There are many businesses in Commercial Street and each of us say that we benefit by the fact that the office is here.

"Andrew (Ross) the sub-post master has been doing the job for a long time and he is the heart and soul of the community. He has gone over and above the call of duty for us over the years and we have built up a great relationship with him. It is a tragedy."

Mr McHutchon said the nearest post office branch, on Overton Road, will not be convenient for many people.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Chris Harvie believes small businesses who rely on their local post offices will be seriously affected by the 10 closures.

He said removing these facilities takes away a major part of the community and this will be felt strongly by those who use their branch for business.

Mr Harvie added: "When you use a small post office regularly, you get to know the best times to do your business and you build up a relationship.

"If you had to go to one of the big sites, you might have to wait for a long time to get your business done and time is very precious when you run a small business. Added to that, people are going to have to travel a long way to get their goods sent off."

Chairman of the Fife Federation of Small Businesses David Chalmers believes the closures are a good example of a Government that knows the cost of everything but the value of nothing.

He knows that many small businesses throughout Fife will be greatly inconvenienced by these closures, as well as pensioners and many others who rely on a local service.

Mr Chalmers added that despite a consultation process, the decision to close seemed to be taken many months ago, and there appears little or nothing anyone can do to halt the process.