The Post Office is proposing to open an outreach service in Newtonhill, following the closure of the village’s own branch in December 2010. 

The plan is that the Newtonhill Pharmacy will host the service on Friday afternoons from 2.00 to 4.00.

Brian Turnbull from the Post Office said: “The establishment of a hosted service presents the best possible solution for us to restore services to Newtonhill It will be provided by our subpostmaster from Laurencekirk, and will provide the same range of products and services, with the addition of a Euro and Dollar on demand bureau de change.”

The Post Office is seeking feedback from customers before going ahead. Comments should be sent by 15 February to the National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, PO Box 1138 , St Albans AL1 9UN or by email to consultation@postoffice.co.uk .

Newtonhill resident and Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Mollison welcomed the news. “This is a much-needed service which has been greatly missed since our former postmaster took ill. I hope it is a success, so much so that the hours can be expanded, perhaps by providing a service on Saturday mornings too so that working people can take advantage of it. I have spoken to the local pharmacists and he too hopes it will be well suported, with the possibility of longer opening hours.”

Fellow North Kincardine Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Melling said: “Newtonhill is a growing community and I hope it warrants a better service than two hours a week. Nonetheless this is better than nothing and it will be up to the local people to prove that there is a demand for longer opening hours.”