Aviemore Post Office reopens on a part-time basis
Post Office services in Aviemore have resumed today after a lay-off of more than three weeks.
Forres Postmaster Paul McBain has agreed to cover four hours per day for three days of the week at the branch at the Myrtlefield Shopping Centre.
A Post Office spokesperson said: “We are delighted to have been able to re-open Aviemore Post Office today as we know how important Post Offices are to communities.
"Post Offices are designated as an essential retailer by the UK Government.
“Aviemore Post Office had been temporarily closed due to staffing issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic including underlying health concerns.
“To restore service the Postmaster for Forres, Paul McBain, has agreed to operate the branch on a temporary basis on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 2pm.
“Other alternative Post Offices include Carrbridge, Boat of Garten and Nethy Bridge.”
The opening hours of alternative branches are
· Boat of Garten PO Monday to Saturday 7am – 2pm
· Carrbridge PO Monday to Friday: 9am - 1pm; Saturday 9am – 12.30 noon
· Nethy Bridge PO Mondays and Fridays 9am – 5.30pm, Wednesday 9am to 1pm
Customers are recommended to vist www.postoffice.co.uk/branchfinder before they visit.
Aviemore branch operators Ernest Kopp and his wife, Debra, closed the doors at the end of March because of a huge loss of trade following the lockdown.
The branch and Aviemore News had been closed for an indefinite period.
A sign posted in the window at the time stated: “Due to the ever-increasing infections of Covid-19 and our age, Aviemore News and Post Office will be open from 10am till 1pm on Friday and Saturday. Starting on Monday we will be closed indefinitely. Please accept our apologies.”
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Mr Kopp had said the previous week: “If the village is to keep its Post Office we need a lot more than the 10 customers a day we have been getting.”
The couple intend to retire this summer.
