Post offices: Shropshire County Council’s initial response

Shropshire County Council is preparing its initial response to the Post Office Ltd over the proposed closure list, which the council received at 9.00am today (Tuesday 1 April).

Council officers are now assessing the impact the proposed closures will have on communities, before a meeting with Post Office managers on Thursday (3 April).

Officers and councillors will put Shropshire’s case to the Post Office at that meeting, and will discuss the closure plans in more detail.

Councillor John Hurst-Knight, Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet member for waste and economy, said: "We are very upset by these potential closures and the effect they will have on communities. Our approach throughout has been to make a considered response, and that is what we will continue to do. We must do all we can to help protect post offices and businesses, such as small shops, which may be left behind if a branch closes. Officers have been working on a local recovery programme to provide practical advice and support to everyone who needs it.”

Leader of Shropshire County Council, Councillor Malcolm Pate, said: “I am appalled at the list of proposed closures, especially at the effect it will have on sparsely populated areas like south Shropshire. We will be seeking to protect post offices threatened with closure and will put Shropshire’s case very strongly to the Post Office. We will do everything we can to support communities affected by these proposed closures.”

A consultation period is now under way, and residents have until 9 June to make their views known. Anyone wishing to make comments can write to the Post Office using the following address: National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, FREEPOST NATIONAL CONSULTATION TEAM (no stamp is required). Alternatively people can ring 08457 223344 or go to the Post Office website (see link).

If any Shropshire residents need support or advice about what they can do to protect their local post office, they can call the county council’s Rural Policy Manager Clare Greener on (01743) 252555.

1 April 2008