Fears have been raised about the viability of the historic post office in Sanquhar that has still not acquired new owners after the current ones previously set a deadline of the end of May this year for them to retire.

Dr Manzoor Alam and his wife Nazra have run the site in Sanquhar since 2015 and earlier this year they announced their plans to hand over the reins of the world’s oldest post office.

Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell recently called on the Business Secretary Alok Sharma to intervene to ensure the continued presence of the business.

In the House of Commons last week, Mr Mundell said: “Sanquhar in my constituency has the world’s oldest post office and that title derives from the fact that the post office has been on the same site for 300 years.

“Will the Secretary of State confirm that, along with the Post Office, he’ll take every opportunity to keep the post office on that site?”

Mr Sharma replied: “I recognise the historic significance and the role of the post office in Sanquhar, and I thank all the staff who have kept it running over the years, particularly most recently through the COVID pandemic.

“I very much hope that a long-term future for that post office can be secured.”

Due to coronavirus, the Alam’s found difficulties in finding a new owner to become only the 17th proprietor since the post office opened in 1712.

A spokesperson for the Post Office has said that they don’t see there being any change in ownership anytime soon and that the current owners have agreed to remain in place until a new postmaster can be found to take over the venue. The Post Office say that they are working closely with the owners to help them find someone to take over the business and the adjoining residential property.

The post office is a popular visitor attraction.