UK Postwatch welcomes changes to the urban Post Office closure programme

Postwatch is delighted that pressure from MPs, Local Authorities and itself has paid off.

Stephen Timm’s announcement to the House yesterday details the improvements that Post Office Limited will be making to the urban post office closure programme.

Peter Carr, Chairman of Postwatch, commenting on the announcement said: ”Ministerial intervention was necessary to stop the closure programme going off the rails. Stephen Timms listened to our concerns and those of his Parliamentary colleagues and then took the appropriate action. The Minister was right to point out that:

“in too many cases Post Office Limited has not handled them (consultation arrangements) appropriately or with sufficient sensitivity.”

“We believe the changes that Postwatch negotiated with Post Office Limited will
improve the closure consultation process and lead to better results for customers.

Whether they do, in fact, have the desired outcome will, of course, depend on their full implementation by Post Office Limited.

“Postwatch, Post Office Limited and all concerned will be looking for signs that there has been a change for the better on the ground.”