‘Hands off post offices’ warning

A “hands off our post offices” warning was today delivered to managers threatening to axe 28 branches in Shropshire. County councillors have agreed to do all they can to prevent closures.But they say they are also prepared to work in partnership with the Post Office to find ways of ensuring services continue.

Those on the hit-list include Randlay in Telford, Greenfields and Ditherington in Shrewsbury, East Hamlet in Ludlow and Coton Services near Whitchurch.

Labour member Liz Parsons yesterday quickly picked up cross-party support for a motion that “the council will seek to protect post offices which are threatened with closure and asks that officers investigate how Shropshire County Council, in discussion with the Post Office, can support the continuing provision of services for the benefit of local communities.”

Councillor Parsons said the branches had to be run as a business to some degree and members had to be prepared to work with the Post Office to find new ways of supporting services.

Conservative Tom Biggins said: “There are a number of post offices that are viable and sustainable.”

The Tory leader of the council, Malcolm Pate, formally seconded the motion.

He said “a lot more information” was being sought from the Post Office.

Lib Dem Peter Corston said the £200 million the Post Office was losing was “peanuts” compared to “other inefficiencies” within Government.

A public meeting is being held on Monday night to discuss the proposed closure of Randlay Post Office. It will be at the Randlay Centre at 7pm. Post Office officials are expected to be present.