Changes announced by the Post Office will result in the post office in the Piazza being franchised off to a private company, it has been revealed.
Mhairi Black, MP for Paisley & Renfrewshire South claims the “move threatens to reduce the range of services offered by the main Post Office in Paisley”.
The post office is expected to move from current premises into the store that takes on the franchise, expected to be WH Smith on the High Street.
This is part of a move announced by the Post Office to transfer the running of nearly 40 crown post offices into private hands and close three more.
The government-owned service told staff on Tuesday that it planned to close three branches in Belfast and Antrim in Northern Ireland and Barry in south Wales, and is seeking to transfer 39 outlets to franchise agreements with firms such as WH Smith.
The plans are the latest step in a re-jig of the crown outlets, which are run directly by the Post Office.
The Communication Workers Union said a further 600 jobs could be at risk in the future because up to 50 more of the 314 current crown post offices could face closure over the next two years.
The Post Office warned staff that it would have to make further changes over and above the closures and franchise deals announced on Tuesday, as part of plans to ensure it does not fall into losses.
It did not say how many more outlets might be affected, but unions believe the Post Office wants to reduce the crown network to 220 stores. Hundreds of long-term staff were made redundant when WH Smith took on an initial batch of post offices in 2006.
Mhairi Black MP said: “This announcement confirms that the UK Government is attempting to privatise the Post Office and is continuing its agenda for destroying the service by diminishing its high street presence and taking away services, instead of embracing opportunities for new revenue streams.
“There is a serious concern that some of the services currently available at the Post Office in the Piazza will simply not be available under the franchise move.
“This will lead to worsening services in Paisley and, as this is the main Post Office in Renfrewshire, could result in customers having to travel into Glasgow or elsewhere for a full range of services.
“I have asked for an immediate meeting with Post Office officials to try to ensure as many services as possible are retained locally.”