Stevenson Calls On Banff & Buchan Post Offices To Shape New Scottish Government Support Package

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has called upon post offices in Banff & Buchan to take part in the Scottish Government’s consultation on how funds from the new £1 million Challenge Fund should be used to help local post offices diversify and improve their businesses.
Applications for between £2,500 and £25,000 will open for post offices after the summer, following the conclusion of the current consultation.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“A local post office is often at the heart of a local community, especially in rural areas where many people rely on it to sustain village life. Their systematic destruction by the previous UK Government caused untold damage, but I welcome the fact that the Scottish Government is putting in place this new support package during these difficult economic times. The SNP Government recognises the importance of the post office network where others clearly did not.”

“By diversifying their business and attracting more customers, post offices across Banff & Buchan will be better placed to cope with the economic challenges they face and continue to play a critical role at the heart of their communities.

“I would strongly encourage post offices in Banff & Buchan to take part in the Scottish Government’s current consultation to shape the way in which these funds will be used so that they can ensure that the funding will be at its most effective when it becomes available in a few months time.”

Notes:

1. The Scottish Government’s consultation can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/support/podiversificationfondscot
2. The consultation will run until 9 July 2010, with application forms expected to be published on 21 July 2010 with a deadline for completed applications in the autumn.