Post Office to close and franchise 37 of its larger Crown branches – is your local in the firing line?

THE Post Office is to close and franchise 37 of its largest branches across the UK with the loss of around 300 jobs, it was revealed today.

Another 127 financial specialist roles are also at risk are also at risk, according to the Communications Workers Union.

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Today's announcement particularly affects Crown Post Offices, which are usually the larger branches found on busy high streets.

Citizens Advice chief executive Gillian Guy warned that it's important that the new locations are convenient and that people still have access to the same services.

She added: “Over the last few years thousands of dedicated post office branches have been moving to locations within other shops or services.  There is a lot to learn from how this has worked - such as the importance of notifying people about how and when services are changing - in order to make sure these latest changes continue to meet customers’ needs.

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“It’s also important that Post Office Limited doesn’t close crown branches before the new franchise branches are up and running.”

Dave Ward, general secretary at The Communications Union, said: "The latest round of closures is further evidence that the Post Office is in crisis and that the board of the company, backed by the Government, is simply pursuing a strategy of slash and burn.

"Today's announcement comes less than three weeks after the closure of a major government consultation on the future of the Post Office and sticks two fingers up to everyone who took part in this.

"75,000 postcards were returned to the Government signed by members of the public calling for an end to the closure and franchise programme - the Post Office and the Government have completely ignored their views."

The Post Office said it will be seeking "partners" for 37 of its directly managed branches on top of the 93 announced in the last calendar year, nearly half of which have now relocated into retail stores.

Roger Gale from the Post Office said: "We're committed to maintaining the Post Office's special place on the high street and the changes we are making underpin our continued commitment to give communities in every part of the country access to essential services.

"The Post Office's network of more than 11,600 branches is easily the largest in the UK, with 17 million customer visits a week. The vast majority of these branches are run with partners, and in the locations announced today we believe this will also be a more sustainable approach for the long term."

Union Unite officer Brian Scott said it was "salami slicing of a much respected and valued national institution in pursuit of profit", adding: "The public will suffer as services are continually and systematically eroded.

"This is another nail in the coffin of the Post Office and a move to online will make the Crown Office network superfluous to requirements. Customers, who want to take up the services that the Post Office is offering, will have to do it online or on the phone."

Over Christmas Post Office workers walked out over jobs, pensions and branch closures.

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