THE businessman who is the driving force behind plans for Gourock's new post office says a delay in the opening of the community asset is 'totally unacceptable'. 

Christopher Allan had hoped to unveil the new Kempock Street store to the Inverclyde public at the start of December. 

The postmaster was hugely disappointed to receive an email from the Post Office revealing that the branch should not be launched until mid-March. 

Christopher, who runs another eight Post Office branches across the west of Scotland, said the only thing holding up the process is the delivery and installation of Post Office equipment. 

He added: "The dates are totally unacceptable and it's just not good enough. 

"I've complained to the regional manager and have told Post Office that I won't sign anything until the date is brought forward. 

"We had hoped to get things up and running for early December in time for people sending cards and parcels in time for Christmas. 

"I took a counter from one of my other branches and worked hard to get all of the fixtures and fittings in place. 

"We're ready to push the button, all we're waiting on is getting the equipment from Post Office."

Christopher has brought in one of his experienced members of staff, Jenna Campbell, who lives in Gourock, to run the store at 85 Kempock Street. 

The stop will trade under the Wee Weegie Sweetie Company banner and will offer a range of services including banking and parcel collection.

Greenock Telegraph:
Customers will be able to browse a range of cards and stationery, and confectionery products too. 

Christopher secured the spot in Kempock Street with help from GFS Properties and says he's pleased that the store will be in the heart of Gourock. 

He's looking forward to providing local people with reliable services after years of problems with the former branch in the town.

Christopher added: "Inverclyde is really underserviced in terms of Post Office services. 

"We lost Skelmorlie and Wemyss Bay and there have been nothing but complaints about Gourock over the years. 

"This new branch is going to be run by someone who lives in Gourock and who really knows the area."

In the run-up to opening, Christopher has been asking members of the public for their views on what the opening hours for the store should be. 

He says getting to know local people is a huge part of the job as postmaster. 

Christopher added: "We want to be a business that's completely embedded in the Gourock community 

"That's what we've done with our other branches and it's a big part of what we do. 

"We're already doing a lot of community engagement and we want to engage with the public to tell them what we're going to be offering.

"We want to get this facility open as soon as possible for people."

A Post Office spokesperson said: “We are working hard to relocate Gourock Post Office to its new permanent location as soon as possible. There are different elements involved with relocating a branch and the earliest date this could happen is in March. In the meantime, Gourock remains open at its current location.”