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Use us or lose us warning from post office operators in strath


By Gavin Musgrove

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Post Office operators are warning the public to 'use us or lose us' with customer numbers in freefall since the Coronavirus lockdown.

Along with the likes of food shops and supermarkets, the Post Office has been recognised as a key service and is continuing to trade whilst non-essential outlets have closed.

Ernest Kopp runs the Aviemore branch at Myrtlefield Shopping Centre with his wife, Debra.

He said: "There is no reason people can't come here for their vital services and needs while taking their daily walk and we both hope they will do that.

"We are staying open six days a week from 8am until 2pm. If the village is to keep its Post Office we need a lot more than the 10 customers a day we have been getting.

"It is a vital service to the community but it has to be protected and that's down to using it."

Ernest Kopp and Debra outside of Aviemore News and post office.
Ernest Kopp and Debra outside of Aviemore News and post office.

The couple who run Aviemore News took over the village’s post office service in summer 2017 when the dedicated branch closed next door.

The Post Office branch is currently up for sale as the pair hope to retire this summer.

Newtonmore postmaster Graeme Irvine said: "For many branches they are paid a pittance per transaction. There isn't any slack in renumeration to employ staff so if postmasters are sick then branches will have to close. The use or lose us mantra has been used regarding Post Office branches for a long time, but it is still as important as it has been."

Other visitor attractions, non-essential shops, leisure facilities, hotels, restaurants, pubs, clubs and even bothies have shut throughout the strath.

Blythswood Care closed its charity shop in Newtonmore on Saturday.

A spokesperson said: "These shops have made a vital contribution to Blythswood’s work, raising funds and serving as collection points for food and donated goods.

"God-willing we hope that they will do so again in a few months’ time."

A spokesperson for Landmark Forest Adventure Park in Carrbridge said: "The situation is that we are closed for at least the next 12 weeks with all permanent staff retained on full pay on furlough.

"Heads of department are working from home with just one person coming in to check on maintenance.

"We will re-open as soon as the current restrictions are lifted."


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