PLANS to reopen Kilmacolm post office have been delayed due to issues finding suitable contactors to carry out improvement works.

The branch was set to open its doors again this month after closing in December due to the previous postmaster stepping down.

But Post Office bosses have now confirmed that the village will have to wait until June at the earliest for services to be restored.

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A Post Office spokesperson told the Tele that the delays were due to the new postmaster wanting to refurbish the shop before reopening.

They said: “We are working hard to restore service in Kilmacolm as soon as possible.

“The new postmaster wants to make improvements to the shop before reopening and it has taken longer than anticipated to find suitable contractors with availability and with the furniture and materials to undertake the work.

“It is now hoped that Kilmacolm Post Office will reopen in early June.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“In the interim alternative branches include Park Farm, Dubbs Road and Bridge of Weir.”

MP Ronnie Cowan, who has been pushing for the Post Office to return as soon as possible, expressed disappointment about the length of time the village had been without a branch.

But the SNP politician added that he was pleased to see that the new postmaster and Post Office bosses were keen to re-open the branch promptly.

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He said: "While this is disappointing news, the main thing is the commitment from both the Post Office and the new postmaster to get things back up and running as soon as possible.

"No one wanted Kilmacolm to be without this service for any length of time.

"But this shows that there will be significant investment going into the new service and we all have to view that as a positive development.

"I first engaged with the Post Office at an early stage after the temporary closure and they assured me that it would reopen with a new sub-postmaster.

"I have kept the Kilmacolm community up to date as far as possible on these discussions and developments. The Post Office has been as good as its word on this. 

"Now we are seeing sub-post offices re-open rather than remain closed. John Wood Street in Port Glasgow is opening this week, and Kilmacolm will follow hopefully in just over a month.

"These are vital community hubs, and provide the necessity of access to cash.

"So, despite the delay for Kilmacolm, the most important thing is that these services will be re-established permanently."