Public survey on axed Post Offices in the UK
Public consultations are starting on plans to close up to 2,500 post offices over the next year.
Customers in Kent, East Midlands and East Yorkshire will be asked for their views on proposals to close 180 branches in their areas.
Consumer watchdog Postwatch said it is the start of a period of “huge change” in the post office network.
Chairwoman Millie Banerjee said: “Closures are not good news for customers, but the current post office network is unsustainable. The Government has decided change is necessary, with 2,500 closures required.
“Postwatch agrees it is preferable to have planned rather than unplanned closures. It is now vital that the programme’s overall outcome is the best possible for customers.
“That means customer confusion and inconvenience must be minimised, both in terms of the branches proposed for closure, and in the consultation process being meaningful and accessible to all.”
Post Office Managing Director, Alan Cook, said, “Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers.
“We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on or has any concern with Post Office services is both fully aware of the changes we are proposing to meet Government requirements and able to give views on how accessible services will be in the future.
A spokesman for the Department of Business and Enterprise said decisions on which post offices will close will be made by Post Office Ltd in the light of the responses to the area consultations.
“Post offices continue to play an important social and economic role in the communities they serve, but four million fewer people are using the post office each week than two years ago and Post Office losses rose from GBP 2 million a week in 2005 to GBP 4 million a week last year.”
