Cumbernauld Post Office can't cope with crowds claim

hat’s the claim about the branch based within the WH Smith premises in Cumbernauld Centre

This controversially replaced the Crown post office upstairs Forth Walk last March - which has failed to attract a buyer.

Post Offices bosses insisted that the service would be better than ever – and that they could not afford to keep the old premises open in any case.

However, tempers are believed to have frayed last Wednesday morning as a massive line formed to avail of services offered in just two booths.

One eyewitness who asked not to be named said: “People were getting quite impatient.

“The girls at the counter were doing their best but the truth is that the place is just not big enough to cater for a town the size of Cumbernauld.

“This wasn’t an insolated incident either. No wonder so many people said that the old branch should never have closed. “This can only get worse too in the run-up to Christmas.”

MSP Jamie Hepburn agreed that this is a serious issue, saying : “Whilst it was welcome that WH Smith came forward to ensure there would be some level of post office provision at the town centre, the issues around capacity there show that the decision to close the Crown post office that was there previously was wrong.

“The Post Office now needs to look at this urgently and take steps to ensure that provision of their services in Cumbernauld town centre are sufficient to match the demand that exists for them.

Meanwhile a Post Office spokesperson said that the matter would be looked into – even though the responsibility lies with an independent retailer.

She said: “It’s very important to us that customers are happy with the service they receive. We will investigate these complaints with the Cumbernauld postmaster.”