Midlothian post office closures were a 'done deal', claim
The decision to close four Midlothian post offices was a "done deal" – it was claimed this week.
Post Office Ltd has announced the Carrington, Easthouses, Lasswade High Street and Poltonhall branches are to shut, following a six-week public consultation.
Robert Hogg, chairman of Mayfield and Easthouses Community Council, said: "Unfortunately it's not a surprise – obviously it was a done deal.
"It was a total waste of time going through a consultation when they were not going to listen to any of the community."
Secretary of Gorebridge Community Council, Archie Pacey, said: "I really honestly did not think that the explanation from the Post Office was very good.
"But...it was quite clear from the very outset that was the decision."
Midlothian Council leader Derek Milligan (Lab), whose ward takes in the Poltonhall and Lasswade branches, said he was "exceptionally disappointed".
"I think Poltonhall Post Office is something that is needed in the community and I'm not sure that the post office in Bonnyrigg will be able to take the additional work without causing problems to the customers.
"The Post Office is certainly putting out a signal that this decision was pre-ordained."
Westminster parliamentary candidate Colin Beattie (SNP) said: "After a cursory public consultation, in the course of which the entire community objected, they went ahead with the decision to close these vital community facilities in any case. Why did they even bother asking us?"
Midlothian MP David Hamilton (Lab) said he planned to discuss the news with the subpostmasters and added the next step in the campaign was to ensure the contract for the Post Office card account goes to Post Office Ltd.
Full story in this week's Midlothian Advertiser, on sale now.
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