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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Post Office lists branch closures | Post Office lists branch closures |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Dozens of post offices across Edinburgh, the Lothians and South of Scotland have been earmarked for closure or downgrading. | Dozens of post offices across Edinburgh, the Lothians and South of Scotland have been earmarked for closure or downgrading. |
| The Post Office has started a six-week consultation on shutting 26 branches and downgrading a further 32 offices. | The Post Office has started a six-week consultation on shutting 26 branches and downgrading a further 32 offices. |
| The company said almost all the area's population would see no change to their nearest branch, or would remain within one mile of an office. | The company said almost all the area's population would see no change to their nearest branch, or would remain within one mile of an office. |
| Views have been sought on new outreach services and branch accessibility. | Views have been sought on new outreach services and branch accessibility. |
| Those options include mobile facilities, "hosted" restricted hours services, home delivery and partner operations running services in premises such as shops. | Those options include mobile facilities, "hosted" restricted hours services, home delivery and partner operations running services in premises such as shops. |
| Sally Buchanan, the Post Office's network development manager for Scotland, said the proposals were the best for services across the area while still meeting government criteria. | Sally Buchanan, the Post Office's network development manager for Scotland, said the proposals were the best for services across the area while still meeting government criteria. |
| "Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers," she said. | "Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers," she said. |
| "We want to ensure everyone who uses, relies on or has any concern with Post Office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes, and able to give views on them." | "We want to ensure everyone who uses, relies on or has any concern with Post Office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes, and able to give views on them." |
| Under the proposals, 262 branches will be unaffected. | Under the proposals, 262 branches will be unaffected. |
| Postal watchdog Postwatch Scotland said its final view of the plans would be informed by customer reaction during the consultation period. | |
| Chairman Alan Alexander said: "Post office closures are not good news for customers, but the government has decided that a significant number are necessary to help put in place a sustainable network for the long-term. | |
| "This is not a consultation about how many post offices will close. | |
| "It is about ensuring the ones that are closed minimise inconvenience to customers." | |
| He urged people to make their views known to the Post Office over the next six weeks. | |
| The following 26 Post Office branches are proposed for closure: | The following 26 Post Office branches are proposed for closure: |
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| The following 32 Post Office branches are to be replaced by an outreach service: | The following 32 Post Office branches are to be replaced by an outreach service: |
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| Two new services will be created in the Borders. One hosted outreach service for two hours a week at Longformacus, and a mobile outreach service for two hours a week at Ettrickbridge. | Two new services will be created in the Borders. One hosted outreach service for two hours a week at Longformacus, and a mobile outreach service for two hours a week at Ettrickbridge. |
| There will also be a trial outreach service at Rosetta Road in Peebles. | There will also be a trial outreach service at Rosetta Road in Peebles. |
| The consultation will end on 29 September. | The consultation will end on 29 September. |