Post Office Decision Following Additional Consultations In East Essex And Suffolk
Post Office Ltd today announced its decision on the future of three East Essex and Suffolk Post Offices, following a six- week public consultation ending on February 14 2008.
In October 2007 Post Office Ltd developed and published a local area plan proposal for the East Essex and Suffolk area, setting out the changes it proposed to make as part of the implementation of the Government decision to reduce the UK wide network of Post Office branches by up to 2,500 from its current level of more than 14,000 while continuing to provide funding to support a more sustainable network in the future.
As a result of feedback received during the local six-week public consultation Post Office Ltd amended its proposal by deciding not to proceed with the proposed closures of Fore Street, Honeycroft Lawford and Warley Road Post Office branches and proposing the closure of Henham Stores Post Office branch, High Street, Henham, CM22 6AS; Kersey Post Office branch, 4, Vale Lane, Kersey, Ipswich IP7 6EH and Little Bentley Post Office branch, Dysons Textiles, Bentley Manor Barns, Church Road, Little Bentley, CO7 8SE.
The closure of these three Post Office branches is confirmed today.
During the consultation Post Office Ltd received more than 140 responses about the Post Offices.
The main concerns raised in relation to the proposed closure of Henham Stores Post Office branch were that the closure would affect the local community and could result in the closure of the associated shop. Respondents also commented about lack of transport in the area.
The Post Office branch has relatively low customer usage and the nearest branch is around two miles away with a regular bus service. There is also a relatively high proportion of vehicle ownership in the area. Taking these and all other relevant factors in account Post Office Ltd has decided to confirm the closure of the branch. During public consultation Essex County Council registered their interest in running Henham stores branch as a locally funded branch. As a result the implementation of the closure is being delayed by three months, to June 16 2008. During this period Post Office Ltd will consider any proposals put forward by the local authority for the establishment of a locally funded branch.
During the consultation on Little Bentley branch respondents comments on limited bus services and on the friendly and helpful service of the sub postmistress. The Post Office has very low customer usage and there is a bus service to the nearest Post Office branch in Tendering. The proportion of vehicle ownership in the area is high.
Essex County Council also registered their interest in running Little Bently as a locally funded branch.
Taking these and all other relevant factors into account Post Office Ltd has decided to confirm the closure of this branch but to delay the closure by three months, to 16 June 2008. During this period Post Office Ltd will consider any proposals put forward by the local authority for a locally funded branch.
Respondents raised concerns about the adverse effect the proposed closure of Kersey branch might have on the local business which currently operates the Post Office branch. The branch has a relatively low customer usage and there are 8 alternative branches within five miles of this branch. Taking these and all other relevant factors into account Post Office Ltd has decided to proceed with the closure of Kersey branch.
Post Office Ltd will not be undertaking any further consultations under the Network Change Programme in the East Essex and Suffolk area and the area will retain 357 Post Office branches.
Sheila McCann, Post Office Ltd’s Network Development Manager for East Essex and Suffolk said:
"We know that any decision to close a Post Office branch will often be unpopular but we have to put the network on a more stable footing for the future.
"We still have more branches open in the East Essex and Suffolk area than all the major banks and building societies combined and 99 per cent of people will see no change to the branch they currently use or will remain within a mile of an alternative."
Ends
Issued by: South East and East of England External Relations team
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