Post office closure targets revealed (From Worcester News)

Post office closure targets revealed

7:10am Wednesday 27th August 2008 in News By Lucy Tatchell

UNDER THREAT: Sub postmistress Cath Speake outside her post office in Rushwick. Picture: Emma Attwood. (35493002)

ELEVEN post offices in south Worcestershire face closure and a further four may be replaced with an outreach service.

Post offices in villages, towns and Worcester look set to be axed after a period of public consultation ends in six weeks.

In the Malvern area there are three post offices facing closure, while in Worcester, Bilford Road Post Office in Astwood is earmarked for closure.

Vince Jenkinson, aged 52, of Astwood Road, Worcester, is a frequent user of the site.

“I think they are all important,” he said. “This is a busy post office, especially at the end of the month.”

Worcester MP Mike Foster has met the sub postmistress and her husband to discuss their feelings.

“They assured me they are not unhappy with the decision and they are now looking and planning ahead on the basis of the post office not being there,” Mr Foster said.

The Labour MP added he now wanted to hear from residents who would be affected by the closure.

“What I intend to do is gauge public opinion from the local area for people who use the Bilford Road Post Office to see what their views are of the alternatives being offered,” he said.

He added: “To have just one closure in the city as a whole I think means that we have got off relatively lightly compared to other constituencies.”

Elsewhere in the county people are heavily against the closures.

Richard Burt, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Worcestershire, said: “Post offices are a vital part of our villages and communities. For many people they are a lifeline and we must do all we can to protect them.”

The post office in Poolbrook Road, Malvern, has already started a campaign against the closure.

A petition has generated 176 signatures so far and a sign in the window reads: “Help, we are listed to be closed... Don’t let them close our post office.”

Sub postmistress Ali Poole said: “We serve a big community with many elderly and disabled customers. I help a lot of my customers with filling in forms and without the post office they would find it harder to manage.

“We have disability access here whereas other post offices in the area do not.

“We are in profit and I can see no reason why we should have out business taken away.”

Parvinder Singh, who runs the post office in Pinvin with his wife, said they would be forced to sell their business if the service is axed.

“Business is really quiet and we are surviving at the post office,” he said.

The post office in Callow End could close and be replaced with an outreach service.

But Tom Wells, Liberal Democrat councillor for Powick, is determined to fight the decision.

“We need to stand and fight to keep our post office,” he said.

“As a fall back position we may have to accept an outreach service.”

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED: Why are Post Offices being closed?

The Government announced proposals to close post offices and modernise the network following a fall in the number of people using them. As a result, Post Office Limited developed a network change programme which involves the compulsory compensated closure of up to 2,500 post offices, out of 14,000 across the country.

How do they decide which Post Office to close?

The Post Office has looked at the number of customers using the branch; the ability of nearby branches to absorb the custom; its proximity to other branches; and the commercial implications.

However, the decision must take into account criteria which states 99 per cent of the population should be within three miles of a post office.

What happens next?

There is now a six-week public consultation for people to register their views by Tuesday, October 7.

What do I do to save my Post Office?

Register your views by writing to: Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp required) or e-mail consultation@postoffice.co.uk. Write to your local MP and you can call the customer helpline on 08457 223344.

What happens when the public consultation ends?

The feedback will be considered before changes are implemented.

What is an Outreach Service?

There are four options.

1) A mobile service similar to a mobile library, which would operate from the back of a vehicle.

2) A hosted service – post office services are offered at an alternative site such as a village hall or doctors’ surgery for a number of hours a week 3) A partner service – services offered by local people.

4) Home delivery – enables customers to order post office products and/or services and have them delivered to their homes or available for collection.

POST OFFICES PROPOSED FOR CLOSURE/OUTREACH SERVICES FOR CLOSURE Worcester and surrounding area Bilford Road Post Office, Astwood, Worcester.

Rushwick Post Office, Bransford Road, Rushwick, near Worcester.

Malvern and surrounding area Link Top Post Office, Worcester Road, Malvern.

Poolbrook Post Office, Poolbrook Road, Malvern.

Hanley Castle Post Office.

North Worcestershire The Walshes Post Office, Queens Road, Stourport-on-Severn.

Comberton Hill Post Office, Comberton Hill, Kidderminster.

Stone Post Office, Park Lane, Harvington, near Kidderminster.

Evesham and surrounding area Church Lench Post Office, Main Street, Evesham.

Cleeve Prior Post Office, Main Street, Cleave Prior, near Evesham.

Wickhamford Post Office, Pitchers Hill, Wickhamford.

Pinvin Post Office, Pershore Terrace, Pinvin.

Bengeworth Post Office, Northwick Road, Bengeworth.

Herefordshire Edwin Ralph Post Office, Bromyard.

Rushall Post Office, Ledbury.

For outreach services Callow End Post Office near Worcester.

Clifton upon Teme, between Worcester and Tenbury Wells.

Elmley Castle, near Evesham.

Upper Welland, near Upton-upon-Severn.