Bosses say it could be next spring before a post office will re-open in Port Glasgow town centre

People were left without the service when a fire struck the Spar shop in Princes Street where it was based.

The blaze happened over six months ago, but bosses have still not reopened, despite the fact that Covid restrictions were lifted by the summer.

Local resident Jane Crawford has hit out over the lengthy closure.

Jane, 55, said: "There's a lot of people in the town who are not happy about this.

"I pay all my bills in the post office and use it to send parcels.

"The nearest post office is away up at Dubbs Road, or Kelly's Shop in Oronsay, or down at Cathcart Street in Greenock."

Councillor Drew McKenzie also complained about the lack of activity back in August, but it seems that customers will have to wait until well into next year.

Brian Straiton, company-owned stores director with Spar, said: “We have just received clearance to clear out and clean the store and rebuild.

"This needs to go to tender, with the process taking around a month, then works will start back in the store.

“Given timelines it could be spring 2021 before we can re-open the store."

Jane, of Rowan Court, who has a string of health problems, said that the continued absence of a post office in the town will not only be inconvenient, but will also hurt people in the pocket as it will force them to go elsewhere.

She said: "It costs £4.75 for an all day ticket to go into Greenock.

"It will also cause inconvenience for old age pensioners as well."