DESPITE closing down at the beginning of the year, there is still no sign of a Post Office reopening in the Dalgety Bay area. 

The Press previously reported back in February that the existing Post Office, located in the McColl's on Regents Way, had closed down at the start of the new year but that applications to take on a new Post Office were open.

Now, eight months later, the people of Dalgety Bay are still waiting for a new branch to open. 

Councillor David Barratt, originally posted on his Facebook informing the public of the Post Office's closure at the beginning of the year. 

Last week, he updated his constituents, saying: "I have been asking the Post Office for an update on reopening a branch in Dalgety Bay and highlighted that it was no longer being advertised as an opportunity online.

"I have received the following response: 'I have confirmed with our Network team that the vacancy for the branch had been removed as we had received interest in the opportunity. Unfortunately, the interested party has now withdrawn their application and the branch will therefore be re-advertised shortly.'"

He went on to encourage those who are interested in taking on this venture to get in touch with the Post Office. 

A Post Office spokesperson added: “We regret that a permanent solution has not been found for Dalgety Bay Post Office.

"The vacancy is currently advertised on runapostoffice.co.uk. In the meantime, customers should continue to use the nearby Inverkeithing Post Office or our Crossroads branch in Rosyth which is open 9am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday; and between 9am and 1pm on Saturdays."

While there are alternative Post Offices nearby for the community to make use of, Cllr Barratt believes that a dedicated branch for the area is needed. 

He told the Press: "We need a Post Office back in Dalgety Bay, not just for the services it offers to locals, but to sustain the vitality of the town centre shopping area. 

"McColl's decision to close was not about the profitability of the Post Office, but rather the profitability of the convenience store part of their business. 

"My understanding is that the Post Office was busy and profitable and so there exists a significant opportunity for the right business to take this on and make a real success of it."