Post office shuts its doors for last time

7:10am Thursday 22nd May 2008

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THE doors to Worcester's main post office closed for the last time yesterday, ending 140 years of history.

As workers left the Foregate Street building, civic leaders and the public continued to voice their concerns over the controversal decision.

A post office was set to open for business this morning on the first floor of WHSmith in High Street.

The Post Office announced the Foregate Street closure last year and launched a consultation period to gauge public opinion.

More than 1,000 people signed a petition launched by Conservative parliamentary candidate Robin Walker against the plan.

The move was part of Government plans to close 70 branches nationwide and move them to nearby WHSmith stores to save money.

The post office network is losing £70 million a year and the Government has given it until 2011 to stem the losses.

Mr Walker said he was very disappointed at the closure and believed the first floor of WHSmith was a poor choice.

He said: "Access is always going to be a problem. It is going to be very inconvenient. Parliament had an opportunity to stop the closures but MPs didn't, therefore questions have to be asked. This looks like this is only the beginning as we are still waiting to hear what the next run of post office closures will be."

City councillor David Clark was also concerned the WHSmith site would be difficult for the disabled and the elderly.

He said: "We have to put up with whatever we get. It's a case of waiting to see how it works. I don't have a problem with the siting as it is in the city centre but it being upstairs is just not on, it was not a good idea."

Worcester MP Mike Foster also expressed his dismay.

He said: "I have great concerns about the move and hope that I am proved wrong, but I don't think I will be."

Brendan Allen, secretary of the Worcester branch of the Communication Workers' Union, which had members working at the Foregate Street branch, said he was disappointed with the decision but was satisfied they had been given a good leaving package.

A total of 20 full and part time workers at the office have been affected. Staff had the option to move to another role within the Post Office or Royal Mail, or take voluntary redundancy.

Nineteen of the 20 staff have taken redundancy. Of those, three are going to WH Smith. One other staff member will work for the Post Office elsewhere.

Debbie Patrick, who has worked at the branch 30 years, and is going to WH Smith said: "It's been a sad and emotional day."

Vanessa Mann, who has worked at the branch for 28 years and is going to work for Age Concern, said: "We have worked together for such a long time and are going to be split up. Between us we have more than 200 years' experience.

Customer Jonathan Chilton, a chartered surveyor, said: "This is the business sector of the city. People like solicitors and surveyors who need recorded delivery. We now have to go to the other end. It's such a shame.

One of the last customers Andrew Powell, aged 40 of Crown East, near Worcester, said: "It's quite sad. I've always lived in Worcester and always used in post office and it's never going to be the same."

Post Office spokesman Mike Dalton said: "The new branch is one of the most modern in our network of more than 14,000 post offices.

"Together with WHSmith we have spent a lot of time and effort ensuring that Post Office customers receive excellent service in a modern and more inviting post office environment.

"I am sure the people of Worcester will be pleased with their new post office branch and I would urge all customers, existing and new alike, to try the facility out for themselves.

WHSmith regional manager Ian Rowley said: "Our staff have gone through extensive training to ensure we give the best possible service. We look forward to welcoming new and existing customers to the branch."