New home for Kingussie post office services on high street
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The post office has a new home in Kingussie from today, with counter-top services available at the Grassroots garden shop.
The High Street store will also be doubling up as the town’s post office from 1pm having agreed to temporarily take on the role.
It follows doubt over the future of the vital services in the community after the postmaster recently confirmed he was leaving the area.
Rehmen Mehemood, who has run the Paper Shop on King Street for four years, is putting the property up for sale after accepting an IT job in London.
Grassroots’ owner Iona Malcolm said “We were very sad to hear of the closure of the Paper Shop,
and we wish Rehman all the very best for the future.
“We are pleased that Grassroots is able to provide a post office facility for the town.
“We have taken on a proportion of the stock from the Paper Shop, including stationery, cards, hardware, cleaning supplies and DIY goods to complement our existing garden supplies, wholefoods, wildlife food and eco-goods.
“Our thanks also go to long-serving Newtonmore postmaster Graeme Irvine and to David and Louise Duff from Post Office Counters, for their invaluable assistance in getting us set up.
“We look forward to welcoming post office customers to Grassroots and to continuing to provide a vital service to the town.”
Customers will be able to post letters and parcels, withdraw and deposit cash and pay bills electronically using the counter.
Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes (SNP) has welcomed the continuation of the service.
She said: “First and foremost I am grateful to the Post Office for the effort they have put in to finding a temporary solution for Kingussie. Their can-do attitude has been hugely helpful.
“WhileI recognise that the opening hours are reduced from the previous pattern, this is far preferable to having no service at all in the town.
“I hope locals will be able to use the new service, and I remain in discussions with the Post Office about a longer-term solution for Kingussie.”
Local Highland councillor Muriel Cockburn (SNP) was also glad. She said: “I am pleased that Grassroots has quickly stepped in to offer Post Office facilities for the people of Kingussie.
“It is vital that we retain post offices and work in conjunction with our local businesses to achieve this.”
David Duff, Post Office network provision lead, said that their branches are vital to their community.
He commented: “We are delighted to have been able to quickly restore service. We thank Grassroots for allowing us to provide Post Office service from their store.”
Grassroots is open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday and the post office will be open from 1pm to 5pm on these days.
Fears over provision of Post Office services for Badenoch
