Ayrshire sub-postmaster urges customers not to 'boycott' branches after Horizon IT scandal
The owners say it'll only hurt family-run businesses like theirs if people stay away after mistreatment of sub-postmasters
Last updated 2nd Feb 2024
An Ayrshire sub-postmaster is urging the public not to boycott the Post Office in the wake of the Horizon IT scandal.
Hundreds of branch managers are believed to have been wrongfully convicted of fraud and theft because of faulty accounting software.
A recent TV drama brought the story into the public eye and has increased support for staff.
ITV's Mr Bates vs The Post Office was released at the start of this month.
It details the Post Office Scandal which saw around 3,500 operators accused of theft, fraud and false accounting and tells the shocking story of how Horizon's IT system failed in the late 1990s.
And while the programme has highlighted the level of injustice faced by postmasters and postmistresses - provoking an apology from Scotland's Lord Advocate - the response from some has not been positive.
"We rely on every customer"
That's according to Stephen Cooper, who owns the Daisy Chain and Post Office in Prestwick with his wife Cherlene.
The couple took to social media to highlight the mixed reaction they've witnessed online and in-person.
A post on the shop's Facebook page read "we’ve seen an lot of people saying on social media and a few individuals in store saying that they’re going to boycott the Post Office".
Speaking to West FM News, Mr Cooper said: "What I say to them is please don't do that.
"People need to understand that all over the country, the post offices are owned by people like me and my wife Cherlene.
"We're a family business, we have invested our life savings into the business and we only get paid per transaction from the Post Office, so we rely on every customer who uses our business."
"We too want answers"
However, the South Ayrshire sub-postmaster is keen to thank those who have stood by them at this difficult time.
"We're lucky in Prestwick that we're part of a great community," Mr Cooper added.
"We've had a lot of kind words and support from our regular customers, plus some new faces as well who understand why we need them to support our post office.
"It's been hard for us seeing events unfold. We're as upset, probably more so, as everybody about what's happened and we too want answers."