'Fantastic' customers hailed as postmistress announces closure of Perthshire post office after 37 years

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The postmistress of Errol Post Office has hailed the village’s “fantastic” residents after it was announced the business will close next month.Local stalwarts Marion and Ken Barnett are set to retire, having run the High Street shop for 37 years.The announcement comes after the three-floor building, which included six bedrooms, was put up for sale in August 2022 for £250,000.But the couple will instead shut up shop and enjoy retirement there, with the bottom floor post office closing permanently on August 24.A grateful Marion said: “The local people have been fantastic to us over the years.

The people in the village have been like a family.“It is a lovely area and always has been.”She added: “My husband had a stroke and can’t help me in the shop.“I work 75 hours a week, seven days a week.

I start at 5.30am and finish at 5.30pm. So it is the right time to retire.”The new post office will be located elsewhere in the Carse village as Marion and husband Ken will stay put.“The Post Office has ideas about what to do next, but it will not be here,” she explained.A number of the local stores and the village hall have been mooted as possible alternatives.The Post Office is said, however, to be considering a number of options.A spokesperson said: “The long-serving couple who have loyally served the Errol community for 37 years are retiring on August 24.“We are looking at the possibility of a new-style, lighter format, Drop and Collect Post Office in the area, which would not provide the same range of Post Office services as currently, but it would be easier for an existing retailer to add to their premises.“This opportunity will be advertised soon.“Alternative Post Office branches in the area include Inchture and Longforgan and