EAST KILBRIDE POST OFFICES ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT CHALLENGE FUND

Linda Fabiani MSP has urged post offices in the East Kilbride area to apply for support from the Scottish Government’s new one million pounds Challenge Fund, which is being launched to help local post offices diversify with new business activities and maintain their sustainability as businesses.

Applications for awards ranging from 2,500 pounds to 25,000 pounds will be sought from mid-July.

Describing the funding as a welcome boost for a local service which has been under huge pressure in recent years, Strathaven-based MSP Linda said:

“This is a significant investment to help protect important local services during the current difficult trading conditions.

“Post offices in Westood, Murray and elsewhere in East Kilbride have been lost in recent years. Support to help them survive by offering expanded activities will help to prevent further closures and is particularly important for this area.

“Post offices play an important role in the life of our communities. As well as postal services, they can provide access to money and banking facilities, support for local shops, and a hub for the community. This is reflected in the high value that local people attach to their post office.

“I’m sure that sub-postmasters in East Kilbride, Strathaven and the nearby villages will have plenty of good ideas about how their businesses can innovate and expand with the help of the Challenge Fund. I’d strongly encourage then to look out for the application forms when they are published in July and get their own bids in.”