South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has expressed his disappointment after it was confirmed this week that the Post Office on the Whitesands will close on 15 October.

Post Office had previously said the branch in the Spar shop is set to close due to the resignation of the current operator, and an alternative is yet to be found.

This news was first announced in March this year and comes on the back of several closures across the region.

Colin Smyth said: “The future of this branch has been under question for some time but, along with many local residents and businesses, I am still very disappointed to hear that an alternative operator for the Post Office on the Whitesands hasn’t been found.

“Despite there now being a closure date, I will continue to ask Post Office to find a new operator as a matter of priority. I have been in discussion with town centre businesses about finding a new home for the branch but I would appeal to any others to come forward and help in the search.

“This branch closing is the latest blow for businesses and residents who rely on their local Post Office service but I fear it won’t be the last.

“In the past year we’ve seen closures, reduced hours and temporary services affecting communities across the region and it’s not good enough.

“People need Post Offices in their local communities but more and more we’re seeing them disappearing.

“For the largest town in our region not to have a Post Office in the town centre would be the ultimate failure by Post Office ltd and we need to do all we can to avoid another blow to our town centre.

“Dumfries used to have a busy crown post office on the heart of the town centre now it seems the Post Office can’t even sustain a desk at the back of a shop and that’s pretty appalling.”