2,500 Post Offices to close
Postwatch recognise that yesterday’s announcement by the government that 2,500 post offices will be closed over the next 18 months will be unpopular and worry some customers. However, the reality of the situation is that without severe pruning the whole network was in jeopardy.
It is without doubt in the best interests of customers that post office closures are planned rather than unplanned. If the government had not taken its decision we fear there would have been a large number of unplanned closures that could have resulted in gaps in the network.
Postwatch is not, of course, happy with all aspects of the government’s announcement. However, we have to recognise that decisions have been taken and rather than try to get them changed our efforts have to be fully directed towards getting the best possible outcome for customers. In many ways it will be up to Postwatch to ensure local consultations on area plans are meaningful and that proper attention is paid to points raised.
Postwatch is particularly pleased that the government have agreed that local factors like public transport links, the impact on the local economy and demographics will be assessed when applying the basic distance based access criteria.
No-one at this stage knows which post offices will close.
It is without doubt in the best interests of customers that post office closures are planned rather than unplanned. If the government had not taken its decision we fear there would have been a large number of unplanned closures that could have resulted in gaps in the network.
Postwatch is not, of course, happy with all aspects of the government’s announcement. However, we have to recognise that decisions have been taken and rather than try to get them changed our efforts have to be fully directed towards getting the best possible outcome for customers. In many ways it will be up to Postwatch to ensure local consultations on area plans are meaningful and that proper attention is paid to points raised.
Postwatch is particularly pleased that the government have agreed that local factors like public transport links, the impact on the local economy and demographics will be assessed when applying the basic distance based access criteria.
No-one at this stage knows which post offices will close.
Labels: DTI, Post Office Closures, Post Office Network, Postwatch
posted by Postwatch at 9:25 am
1 Comments:
So what is the real Postwatch role in these closures (and with the Smith's franchises too)?
We've been told you will look at the plans to make sure they stick to the regulations, but that you can't force the Post Office to change its mind over individual decisions.
Will there be anyone concerning themselves with the social impact of post office closures and relocations? Is there anyone consumers can turn to as their champion?
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