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A NUMBER of Post Offices in Renfrewshire have been forced to temporarily close due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Staff have shut up shop at sites in Broomlands Street, Paisley, and at the Hillington Retail Centre.

The Gallowhill branch, in Netherhill Road, Paisley, is now only operating between 10.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, while the Paisley High Street branch has revised its opening hours to 9am until 3pm on Monday to Friday and 9am until 12.30pm on Saturday.

Bosses say the Hillington branch closed due to it being based in the Lipsmackers café, which had to shut when all non-essential shops were instructed to stop trading.

A sign outside the Broomlands Street Post Office said the decision to close was made due to a number of staff having to self-isolate.

It reads: “We have taken the difficult decision to temporarily close our store and Post Office.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly but one made with careful thought and consideration of the wellbeing and safety of our customers and staff.

“We have had a significant number of staff who have had to self-isolate and it has been tough trying to keep things running smoothly.

“We want to thank all our staff and customers for their support.”

Post Office bosses said residents can still use the Renfrew sites in Canal Street and Porterfield Road from Monday to Friday, between 8.30am and 5pm, and on Saturday, between 9am and 2pm.

Paisley sites in Neilston Road and at the Tannahill Centre, in Ferguslie Park, also remain open as normal.

A Post Office spokesman said: “Hillington Estate Post Office is temporarily closed due to the café where the branch is based being closed. It is not known at this stage when this branch will re-open.

"In the interim, alternative Post Offices include Renfrew, Cardonald and Moorpark.

“Gallowhill Post Office is open, however, it is operating revised hours during the pandemic of Monday to Friday, 10.30 to 3.30pm.

“Paisley West Post Office is also temporarily closed due to staffing issues caused by the pandemic. It is not known at this stage when this branch will re-open. In the interim, alternative Post Offices include Paisley, Ferguslie Park and Neilston Road.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these temporary closures as we know how important Post Offices are to communities and Post Offices are designated as an essential retailer by the UK Government.”

Most Post Offices will continue to serve communities over the Easter weekend but posters will be displayed in windows if a branch is forced to shut at short notice.

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond