RESIDENTS in the east of Musselburgh are being given a “poor substitute” for their soon-to-close post office at Levenhall, it has been claimed.

A new ‘Post Office local’ for people in the area will operate from RS McColl on Delta Drive from March 31, with significantly longer opening hours.

But concerns had been raised by the public, during a consultation period, regarding the shop’s distance from public transport routes and an unlevel pavement outside.

But the Post Office told Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council it was still awarding the new franchise to the shop, which was the only applicant.

Community council chair Irene Tait expressed her disappointment at the decision at the group’s meeting last week, but told members they had to accept the decision or risk losing the facility.

Levenhall Post Office, on Ravensheugh Road, is closing on Saturday, March 29 at 12.30pm, with a replacement post office opening 630 metres away in the RS McColl shop on Monday, March 31 at 1pm. The switch is part of a major modernisation programme across the Post Office network designed to make it easier for customers to do business, through longer opening hours and modern, open-plan environments.

The replacement post office will be open seven days a week for a total of 111 hours a week, with a wide range of Post Office services available.

Levenhall subpostmaster Ian Wood is retiring from his postal duties after 15 years of providing service to the local community.

Mr Wood took over the branch and retail shop at Levenhall in 1999, following 26 years in banking, and has successfully run the business with the help of staff and family members.

While his shop will remain open as Levenhall Newsagents, he plans to be “75 per cent retired” by giving up the postmaster role.

He said: “I hope to be working mainly at the weekends only, giving me time to pursue my outdoor interests of golf, walking and cycling.” Musselburgh councillor Stuart Currie said the move to Delta Drive was not ideal and would be hard for people to accept.

“Certainly where it is going is a poor substitute but if it is that or nothing then what do we do?” he asked. Fellow Honest Toun councillor John McNeil pointed out that the new location was at the opposite end of the road to the main bus route and people who were unable to walk any distance faced taking up to three buses to get to the new post office.

And he criticised the Post Office for making the decision on financial grounds, rather than considering the community.

He said: “It is not about a caring service to the community, it’s about whether anyone gives the right business rates to the Post Office.” However, the Post Office insisted that the new service would offer people more flexibility, with services available from 6am to 10pm during the week and from 7am to 10pm on a Sunday.

Post Office regional network manager Suzanne Richardson said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in Musselburgh and we are confident that this new modern Post Office service will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.” There are no changes to Musselburgh Post Office, located within the Poundstretcher shop on High Street.