Balintore Post Office to close within weeks despite major local campaign in Easter Ross community
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A HARD-fought local campaign to save a Ross-shire community's post office has failed for now.
The branch within the Spar in Balintore is set to close on October 12.
Balintore and Hilton Community Council was informed of the blow this week and posted: "Sadly, despite our best efforts and great community involvement, we have been unable to save the Balintore Post Office and it will be closing on October 12."
The Post Office has said it is investigating alternative options for the area.
The prospect of losing it had been labelled "devastating" by community council chair Jennifer McCann who pointed to the large number of people, many of them elderly, who regard it as a lifeline.
Scores of people turned out at a demonstration in June to flag their concerns with a heartfelt petition supported by personal comments from many affected.
The SPAR has said that to ensure its continued operation in communities across the region, 31 stores will no longer be able to offer Post Office services.
Post Office partner account manager Daniel Rooney said it followed the resignation of its retail partner.
He said: "I would like to assure you that we are working hard to keep any period of closure to a minimum and we are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community. In exploring this, it is important that any future service is sustainable for the person operating the service, and for Post Office Limited."
He added: "We would like to apologise for the inconvenience the temporary closure may cause. We hope that our customers will continue to use Post Office services and details of alternative Post Office branches.
Alternative branches flagged up include Fearn, which is around 2.4 miles away and one in Tain about 7.5 miles away.
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