Council's response to the Post Office’s closures announcement

Shropshire County Council councillors and officers said today they were extremely disappointed by the Post Office’s announcement that 22 branches would close or be replaced by ‘Outreach’ services. The closures will have a big effect on the commercial and social lives of these communities.

Councillors and officers worked hard with PostWatch, district, borough, town and parish councils to provide the evidence and support the arguments of those postmasters and postmistresses and communities that opposed closures.

The branch at Greenfields, Shrewsbury, has been removed from the list of closures and will now remain open. Lydbury North Post Office, which was proposed for outright closure, will now be replaced by an Outreach service, with details subject to further consultation.

Councillor Malcolm Pate, leader of Shropshire County Council, said: “The Government and Post Office Ltd must take full responsibility for these closures, but we will now talk to the Post Office, the branches and communities affected to discuss the best way to support them. However we are pleased about Greenfields Post Office’s reprieve, and that our efforts to improve on the very poor Outreach services which were first offered have borne fruit.”

The council will now work with Business Link and other organisations to provide advice, and could help with marketing and the diversification of businesses to keep local services going.

Councillor John Hurst-Knight, cabinet member for economy, said: “We fought very hard to resist these closures imposed on some our communities. We knew there was only a slim chance of changing Post Office Ltd’s minds, but it is bitterly disappointing all the same. We will now look to help those communities recover their retail services – it is important to do what works for each individual community.”

List of branches in the Shropshire County Council area which will close:

All Stretton
Aston-on-Clun
Coton
East Hamlet
Hilton
Knowbury
The Hobbins
Harmer Hill
Morda
Ditherington

List of branches which will close and be replaced by Outreach services:

Acton Burnell
Cressage
Hadnall
Lydbury North (subject to further consultation)
Marton
Montford Bridge
Munslow
Quatt
Snailbeach
Wentnor
West Felton
Worthen

1 July 2008