After a long and protracted process to franchise the well-used Morningside Post Office, Post Office Limited have finally brought forward a proposal to merge Morningside and Brunstfield Post Offices to create one new Post Office. The new location of the merged service will be at 28-30 Morningside Road (the former school uniforms shop).

A statutory consultation has been launched on the proposals by Post Office Limited.

For further information and to participate in the consultation please visit the Post Office Consultation Hub via the link below:

https://www.postofficeviews.co.uk/national-consultation-team/morningside-eh10-4rd-004824/

Following many local people contacting me about the franchising proposals back in 2016, I ran a campaign against this as it could have resulted in the closure of the Morningside branch altogether. The petition gained over 5,000 signatures and I presented it to the House of Commons.

This latest merger means that as of next year there will be 6 Post Offices in Edinburgh South, down from 9 in 2017. This shows the strategy of Post Office Limited to reduce local Post Office provision and I am concerned that the latest proposal may affect people’s ability to access vital services – particularly in the South Morningside area.

However, whilst the overall provision in the constituency has undoubtedly been reduced, and I would have preferred to see improved services at the current site, I am pleased that the Post Master, Mr Joulak, at Bruntsfield Post Office has stepped in to provide a valuable service to the local community. He has run the Post Office in Bruntsfield for many years and I know he is passionate about ensuring there is a good Post Office service for local people.

It is not the ideal solution but he has taken it on to enable residents to have a modern and sustainable Post Office facility.

I strongly encourage you to participate in the consultation. I have been assured by Post Office Limited there will be a public consultation meeting which I will of course keep you updated on.

I must thank the Morningside Community Council and everyone who participated in the campaign to Save the Post Office service in Morningside.  This will not be the ideal solution for everyone but I’m confident that it will result in an excellent and sustainable service for the long term.

What happens to the current Post Office building now will be a source of interest for local people.  I will keep residents updated.