Grocery store and takeaway McLeish in Inverurie has stepped in to fill the void left when a post office closed to try and keep services in the town.
The closure of the West High Street branch in January prompted concern locally about the future of counters in the Aberdeenshire town.
It was even feared residents would be in the ironic position of being forced to rely on smaller nearby communities for access to post office services.
However, just weeks after the closure, convenience store McLeish has stepped in to fill the gap with a new temporary counter in a converted storeroom.
Need to keep post office in Inverurie
Work crews have been in the shop this week making alterations to the space to make it a fully working post office – for an initial 12-month trial period.
McLeish owner Scott Graham explained access to services in Inverurie was something he was keen to support.
He said: “It’s something we’re acutely aware of. There’s the other one at JG Ross at Highclere but you really need these services in the town centre so they’re easy to get to, otherwise you might have to go to Kintore or Oldmeldrum.
“In these days of online shopping people are getting more and more parcels so if we can try and help where possible then we want to do that.
“It’s really something I had no knowledge of but my friend Paul McBain, who runs post offices in the Forres and Elgin area, contacted me to suggest it – he’s providing the expertise and we’re providing the space.
“It’s for an initial 12 months and then we’ll look at the financials to see if it’s a viable option in the long-term.”
‘Post office important to community’
The Post Office has confirmed the new Inverurie branch at McLeish on Market Place will open from Monday, February 21.
Staff who worked at the previous branch that closed are expected to work at the new location.
David Duff, Post Office’s network provision lead, said: “We know how important a post office is to a community. We are delighted to be quickly re-opening Inverurie post office.
“We thank the owner of McLeish for providing space within the store. A temporary postmaster has been appointed whilst we continue to look for a permanent solution.”
The new post office branch at McLeish in Inverurie will be open from 9am to 5.30pm Mondays to Fridays.