Published: Saturday, 6th March, 2010 2:00pm

Post office set to re-open

POST office bosses say they are working hard to resume services lost after a branch was closed down in the east end of Greenock.

Royal Mail chiefs slapped a 'temporary closure' notice on the Belville Street outlet in February last year after auditors uncovered a large discrepancy.

It subsequently emerged that £35,000 in cash had been stolen from the premises by Mr Ravinder Naga, son of the sub post-master.

The 34-year-old stole the money from his mum when she left it unattended within the branch in Belville Street, Greenock, pictured.

Mr Naga pleaded guilty at Greenock Sheriff Court to the offence and was recently spared jail.

He was instead handed a community service order and the court heard how he had paid the stolen cash back.

But customers who used the old post office say no information has been made available to the community about when it would re-open.

One who contacted the Tele said: "In what way can this be described as a temporary closure?"

Today Post Office bosses said efforts were under way to resume services - and they also apologised to customers.

A Post Office Ltd spokesperson said: "Post Office Ltd is working hard to find another partner nearby and we would like to re-assure our customers that every effort is being made to resume postal services in the area as soon as possible.

"The vacancy is currently being advertised and anyone who would like more information about running a post office and about the role of a sub-postmaster should telephone Agency Recruitment on 0845 601 6260 or check our website at www.ukpo.com/subpostmaster.

"We would like to once again apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused by these matters, which are completely out of our control."