Plans to replace a Mid Wales post office earmarked for closure with a mobile outreach service are “unacceptable”, campaigners have warned.Villagers in Abermule claimed at a public meeting last night that there would be nowhere to house the proposed large vehicle. Nearly 200 people packed into Abermule community hall to speak out against the possible closure of their post office.
They included representatives of local businesses who warned they would find it hard to function if it closed.
They said any plans for a van to replace the lost post office would be “unacceptable and inadequate”.
Abermule is one of 23 post office across the county earmarked for closure under the Post Office’s UK-wide review of its services.
Peter Albreicht, from Abermule Post Office, said that 185 people turned out to last night’s meeting.
He said people were unanimously in favour of keeping the post office open.
“They stressed that the idea of an outreach van was totally unacceptable and totally inadequate. It was not be feasible as there is nowhere to park such a vehicle in Abermule,” he said.
Mr Albreicht said business leaders were worried that trade would be affected if they did not have the services of the post office in Abermule.
The letter-writing campaign to save the post office in what is one of the fastest growing villages in Powys, will now continue.
Montgomeryshire MP Lembit Opik, who was at the meeting, said the massive turn-out was the best indication Post Office chiefs needed of the commitment there was to local facilities.
“Local businesses need the post office to stay open to keep their operations running smoothly, as do the elderly and those with mobility problems who would find it difficult to travel elsewhere,” he said.
“There is an absence of convenient alternatives to Abermule Post Office in the neighbourhood.”
Mr Opik said Abermule would also miss the personal style of service offered by Pauline and Peter Albreicht.
But he said he was optimistic that Abermule could be saved.
“I believe the Post Office was listening last night and, if this is a real consultation then I believe that we can save Abermule Post Office.”
By Sue Austin
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