UNDER-PRESSURE postmasters and postmistresses in the Borders have received the backing of concerned councillors.

A motion was passed a recent meeting of Scottish Borders Council calling for extra financial support for local Post Offices.

The suggestion was submitted by Mid-Berwickshire Conservative councillor John Greenwell.

He believes the imminent closures of Bank of Scotland branches in Duns, Eyemouth, Jedburgh and Newcastleton and the creation of ‘Bank Hubs’ in their place will pile greater pressure on Post Office services across the region.

Mr Greenwell said: “When asked what these banking hubs would  look like it became pretty obvious they were built around the Post Office model and unless there are significant changes to this model in its present form it will become unsustainable going forward.

“This model is set around a system of commission on every transaction that is made over the counter.

"This level of commission is set far lower than the banks receive which makes it very hard for some postmasters to run a viable business.

“My local postmaster, for example, has considered along with others in the Borders, not renewing his contract. Thankfully, because of his community spirit, our sub-postmaster is going to continue.”

The successful motion called for council leader Euan Jardine to write to the chief executive of Post Office UK and the minister for enterprise, markets and small business with responsibility for the Post Office expressing the council’s support for postmasters’ remuneration to be brought in line with the remuneration that banks receive which will help make Post Offices “thriving local businesses”.

The motion added: “Given the announcement of more bank closures due to take place within the Scottish Borders and the suggested solution being the setting up of Bank Hubs along the lines of the current post office set-up, Scottish Borders Council acknowledges that this could put extreme pressure on Post Office businesses across the Borders.”

The bank branches are set to close between October 2023 and February 2024, despite criticism of the decision from Borders MP John Lamont  and MSP Rachael Hamilton, among others.