THE operation of Dunfermline Post Office will transfer over to WH Smith with new opening times on Sundays from next year.

Post Office Ltd moved the branch from Queen Anne Street into the stationers and newsagents shop on High Street in 2017.

It was still run directly by Post Office staff but that’s going to change early next year with WH Smith set to manage the branch.

Roger Gale, the network and sales director, said: “We have decided that transferring this branch to a retail partner is the best way to run Dunfermline Post Office.”

He added: “This change is part of the continuing modernisation of the Post Office network.

“Our priority is to ensure that we provide services that will meet customer needs, both now and into the future, in a way which will secure the long-term viability of Post Office services in Dunfermline.”

From January 25, it will be open on Sundays from 10.30am to 2.30pm and services will be made available earlier on Tuesdays – opening at 9am rather than 9.30am – in the only other change to its in-store hours.

The new opening hours will be: 9am to 5.30pm from Monday to Saturday, and Sunday from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

A decision to close the Dunfermline Post Office on Queen Anne Street was made in October 2016 after a six-week public consultation and review.

Services moved to WH Smith last March, with the Queen Anne Street building still lying empty.

Post Office Ltd confirmed to the Press in August that they were in the process of selling the building, but couldn’t provide any more details for “commercial reasons”.

They have now launched a public consultation in Dunfermline about their plans for next year. Customers can share their views by completing an online questionnaire via: postofficeviews.co.uk, using the code: 260844.

Comments, on issues such as access to the premises and to Post Office services, are being sought and can be submitted by phone and post until the cut-off date of November 14.

Mr Gale explained: “The change of management of the branch to a retail partner, rather than by us directly, is a commercial decision for Post Office Ltd and we are not seeking feedback on this aspect of the change.”