DUNFERMLINE Crown Post Office in Queen Anne Street is set to close with services moving into the WH Smith store in High Street. 

A public consultation got under way yesterday (Wednesday) with thePost Office Ltd planning to take over the ground floor of the retail shop to open in November. 

General manager of their Crown branch network, Roger Gale, said: “If the move goes ahead the branch would continue to be run by Post Office Ltd with the current post office team, but from within the WH Smith store.

“This move is part of our ongoing modernisation of the network and will allow us to maintain a Crown post office in Dunfermline while providing a new, modern branch for our customers from a bright, new environment.”

He added: “The new branch will operate from a newly-built dedicated open plan post office area located on the lower ground floor of the WH Smith store, which can be accessed by a customer lift, or stairs.”

The Post Office Ltd announced earlier this year that more branches would relocate to WH Smith stores as part of a new 10-year deal.

The majority of branches are already run on a franchise or agency basis, but Crown post offices are still run directly by the Post Office Ltd. 

If the move goes ahead the Queen Anne Street site – which contains a war memorial dedicated to colleagues who served their country and worked for the organisation when it was known as the General Post Office (GPO), now part of Royal Mail – is likely to be sold. 

Mr Gale added: “We are working with Royal Mail to identify the most appropriate place to relocate the memorial so that members of the public can continue to pay their respects to those of our colleagues who sacrificed their lives. 

“Please be reassured that we fully recognise the importance and significance of war memorials and, once agreed, the relocation will be handled with due and proper care and sensitivity, including a re-dedication ceremony.”

Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman urged West Fifers to take part in the consultation, which runs until August 10, to have their say. 

He said: “It’s important Dunfermline town centre retains this service – the Post Office understand this and wants customers’ ideas and opinions on the best way forward. 

“You might want to highlight any potential accessibility issues or anything you feel may help make the move better.

“It’s local people and regular customers who should take this opportunity to make their voices heard.”

The new branch would be just over 100 metres away from the current premises and would have the same opening hours and services, apart from the Digital Application Service. 

The nearest office providing that service would be in Abbeyview. 

The new branch would have four counter serving positions and two self-service kiosks for mail transactions, including home shopping returns, E top-ups and bill payments.  

It may not have a cash machine, that’s still to be determined, although there is currently an ATM outside WH Smith. 

You can have your say by going to www.postofficeviews.co.uk and entering 008844, which is the unique code for the branch.