Post Office managers have been accused of forcing Garelochhead’s branch out of business.
The village’s Post Office site will close on March 28, when temporary sub-postmistress Evanda Street and proprietor Anne McQueen step back.
But it comes amidst a row with Post Office bosses, who MSP Jackie Baillie has accused of making the business unsustainable.
It is thought that the Post Office now favours ‘local’ models within other businesses, rather than the traditional standalone outlet.
This change means the company would cut £4,000 from the £9,000 annual salary – plus a fee for transactions, currently around £14,000 per year.
In a letter to Post Office bosses, Ms McQueen, who owns the Rosslyn Buildings branch, said: “This reduction in salary makes the current business financially unstable and we will have to close.”
The property owner, whose family have been involved in the business for 35 years, said the Post Office previously paid for telephone, electricity and other utilities transactions but these ‘extras’ had “been eroded over the years and PO Ltd rely on the sub-postmaster to provide these necessities at no cost to them.”
Anne and her brother, who co-owns the property, say they have charged only a peppercorn rent for the building for a decade, in order to retain the facility in the village.
Added Anne: “Historically, Garelochhead Post Office has been subsidised by my family for 35 years as we felt it was important for the village to have the services of the Post Office.
“We also modernised the premises with open counters at no cost to PO Ltd.”
She also believes that if another location in the area cannot be found, customers face a lengthy round trip to Helensburgh, whose Post Office may not be able to cope with the additional strain.
It is thought managers are eyeing up transfer to another shop within the village, but alterations require to be undertaken.
Said Anne: “By retaining the current sub postmaster contract, Garelochhead Post Office is still a substantially financially profitable operation for PO Ltd.”
She said she felt “insulted” by the current salary, which had not increased in at least the last ten years.
The branch opens from 5.30am until 6pm on weekdays and from 5.30am until 1pm on weekends – offering Post Office services 77.5 hours per week.
She made a case for the Post Office to increase the annual salary to £25,000, but the plea fell on deaf ears and the Post Office revealed this week that it is seeking other arrangements, throwing the future of services in Garelochhead into doubt.
MSP Jackie Baillie, who represents Helensburgh and Lomond, said: “I am disappointed that, amidst the current Horizon scandal, Post Office Ltd has still not learned to offer hard-working postmasters and postmistresses the respect they deserve.
“It was disappointing to find out that this service in Garelochhead was under threat, but it is disgraceful to find out the circumstances under which the company is happy to lose branches.
“I would urge the Post Office to recognise the efforts of Ms McQueen and her family and do their utmost to recognise their wealth of service to the company.
“It is vital that services such as this are retained in rural communities like Garelochhead.”
A Post Office spokesperson said: “The temporary postmistress who runs Garelochhead Post Office has resigned.
“The premises are also being withdrawn for Post Office use on Thursday March 28 at 5.30pm.
“We want to thank the current postmistress who has run this branch for the past ten years.
“The vacancy is currently advertised on www.runapostoffice.co.uk and we would welcome interest in the business opportunity. We are in talks with local retailers.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by any temporary closure.
“Alternative branches are at Rosneath and Helensburgh, which are both open daily from early until late.”
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