South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has welcomed the news that a mobile Post Office is set to operate in Gretna after the main branch closes but he is demanding that a more permanent solution be found as soon as possible.

Post Office announced this week that while Gretna Post Office at Central Avenue will close on 27 February, a mobile service will be operating from Annan Road from 3 March while a ‘permanent solution’ is found.

However, Colin Smyth is urging the Post Office to make finding this permanent solution a matter of priority.

He said: “In the past couple of weeks we’ve seen closure announcements from the Post Offices for branches in Gretna, Thornhill and Georgetown, as well as a new retailer being sought to run Eastriggs Post Office.

“While I welcome the news that the community in Gretna will be able to use a mobile unit in the town, I am urging Post Office to do all it can to ensure this really is a temporary measure.

“Post Offices are vital services but sadly, right across Dumfries and Galloway we have seen closure after closure of branches and complete inaction by the Scottish and UK Government to protect them.

“The pandemic has had a massive impact on the retail sector and our Post Offices are no exception. It highlights the need to look again at what help is being provided to businesses to get through this pandemic and how we put in place proper support to maintain a Post Office network in the long term before we have further closures.”