The Post Office (PO) has announced imminent branch closures in and around Dumfries in Scotland.

The company revealed yesterday that branches operating within Spar in Georgetown, Thornhill and Gretna will temporarily shut at the end of the month.

The news comes after the convenience chain, operated by CJ Lang took the decision to remove the services from 18 of its shops in Scotland.

A Post Office spokesperson told Better Retailing: “CJ Lang has made the commercial decision to resign from operating a number of Post Offices and these will take effect over the coming months. ​We recognise the pressures the Covid-19 pandemic has brought on retailers and we continue to provide support to our partners who provide vital mails and banking services to their customers.

“We are engaging with the local communities affected, including consumer groups and other local stakeholders, to help ensure that any disruption to post office services are minimised.  ​

“​This includes talking to local retailers about Post Office permanent opportunities as well as ​prioritising temporary solutions for the affected areas as we know how important a Post Office is to a community.”