CONCERNS about the future of Droitwich Spa's historic post office have been highlighted by Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff.
The trade and industry committee, which is chaired by the MP, issued a report that discussed proposals from the Post Office to introduce a shared ownership incentive scheme and the effect it could have. With the reduction in income for post office branches from the termination of the post office card account (POCA), the committee is worried about the future of the post office network.
The report said that if the Government failed to act, the network and all the benefits it provided for communities could be lost. Mr Luff said: "The end of the POCA has been the most serious, but not the only cause of the present difficulties among sub-postmasters, as decisions by the BBC and DVLA (on licensing) have also removed income from post offices.
"In many places post office branches serve as the heart of the community."
Droitwich post office is planning to go into partnership with a management agency to run the town branch in Victoria Square.
The planned move could see 14 members of staff losing their jobs. The running of the post office is due to be taken over by a West Midlands-based company, Dhadda Management Agency Ltd.
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