Post Office seeks new locations for branches affected by RS McColl closures

This comes after RS McColl announced it is to close two of its shops in the town next month, both of which housed a post office.

The Glamis Centre shop in Pitteuchar will shut on October 16, with the post office facility being unavailable after 8pm on October 6.

Meanwhile, McColl’s in Cadham Shopping Centre will close on October 30, with the post office ceasing operations at 8pm on October 20.

A McColl’s spokesman said: “Having explored all options, regretfully we have taken the difficult decision to cease trading at the McColl’s stores in Cadham and Glamis Centre, both in Glenrothes.

“We are saddened to no longer be operating the stores and our priority has been to support all affected colleagues.”

The Post Office insists its closures will only be temporary and has already started advertising the vacancies.

A spokesperson said: “The operator for Cadham and Pitteucher has resigned and these branches will be temporarily closing.

“McColl’s, which operates these branches have made the difficult decision to close these shops.

“We understand how important a post office is to a community and we will continue to work to find a solution that will provide a service in these areas.

“The vacancies are currently being advertised at www.runapostoffice.co.uk, in the interim alternative branches for Pitteuchar are Glenrothes, Coaltown and Carleton whilst the alternative branches for Cadham are Pitcairn and Carleton.”

North Glenrothes Community Council has written to the The Co-operative Group asking it to accommodate the post office within the Cadham Co-op.

Chairman Ron Page said: “The Cadham Post Office is a virtual lifeline to a lot of people, such as the elderly and vulnerable as the main office in the Kingdom Shopping Centre is neither near nor easily physically accessible, especially if you do not like lifts.

“I have written to the Co-op and seeking comments from elected Co-op local members, all backing the suggestion that the Cadham Co-op now house the post office branch.”

If the Co-op does not get on board the community council has alternatively noted the availability of the shop next door to the current location and would welcome an independent post office, with other items for sale, as can be found in Kirkcaldy’s High Street.

Vice-chairwoman Denise Wallace said: “Cadham Shopping Centre is at the heart of the whole of north Glenrothes, with its shops, medical practice, dentist, library and more.

“We’ll continue this fight and campaign to save the post office at Cadham to the end.”

The community council has also written to Glenrothes parliamentarians Jenny Gilruth MSP and Peter Grant MP, as well as making contact with Pitteuchar, Stenton and Finglassie Community Council.

The adverts to run the post offices in Pitteuchar and Cadham will run until January 30, although they may close early if enough interest is expressed.

The Post Office is also looking for someone to run a branch in Coaltown of Balgonie, all three adverts can be found at www.runapostoffice.co.uk.