SHOP bosses and Post Office chiefs are being urged to restore much-needed services in Port Glasgow town centre after a year-long closure.

Town councillors Jim MacLeod and Chris Curley are concerned that the branch in the heart of town has still not reopened almost exactly 12 months since a fire closed the Spar shop it was based within on Princes Street.

Bosses from Spar said last October that they hoped to reopen the premises by spring, paving the way for the branch to come back.

But Mr MacLeod and Mr Curley are now concerned this target may not be met and are now set for talks with Post Office chiefs.

Meanwhile customers are still being forced to catch a bus into Greenock town centre, or to travel up to Dubbs Road.

Cllr MacLeod said: "As people may be aware I raised the issue about the sub office remaining closed a few months ago following the fire in the shop early in 2020.

"It really is not good enough that a year on this sub post office in the town centre has failed to reopen.

"Rather than this matter dragging on we need to know if Spar intend to reopen the post office and if not to say so.

"This could then allow someone else to bid for the franchise.

"We need a sub post office in the lower part of the town.

"I have have had several constituents complain about limited opening hours of the other two sub post offices in the upper Port, at Dubbs Road and Arran Avenue."

Councillor Curley says it is not fair to ask customers to keep travelling elsewhere and insists the town centre needs a postal facility back as soon as possible.

He said: "We need to have a sub post office in the town centre reopened.

"Not everyone owns a car and having to get up the hill can be a problem for many residents, particularly older and disabled people."

He added: "With continued closure of the post office in the town centre it is imperative that the post offices in upper Port Glasgow increase their service availability in the meantime to ensure that Port Glasgow residents, businesses and sole traders have access to full Post Office functions throughout the day.

"Jim and I will be pursuing these matters with the Post Office."