Post offices under threat of closure (From Barry And District News)

Post offices under threat of closure

THE POSSIBLE closure of two post offices in Barry has been slammed by a town councillor and condemned by postal workers.

Barry Town Councillor Keith Stockdale has spoken to residents in the areas of the Weston Hill and Cadoxton Post Offices.

Many people who use the offices to pay bills and for other vital services are unhappy at the proposals.

He said: "The two offices under threat are vital to many people. There are a lot of people who would find it hard to go to another office.

"One man in particular I have spoken to is blind and uses the nearest post office to him."

The possible closure of the offices will be decided at the end of the consultation period next Wednesday.

Staff at the threatened offices did not want to be named but are less than happy with the chance they may lose their jobs - especially so close to Christmas. But they recognise why the Post Office business has taken such a hammering.

One worker said: "There has been a huge downturn in business since the benefits went to the banks.

"We don't know what will happen with the shop if the Post Office facility is withdrawn. It all went wrong when the benefits went to the banks.

"More than half of the trade disappeared because of that one change.

When it was introduced there was no thought for the business. When a person came into the Post Office they would not only get their benefit, they could pay bills and buy goods from the store. Today people can pay over the Internet. Although the Post Office has tried to encourage people to open accounts and use other postal services, it has not been successful."

The Holton Road branch will take the bulk of the two Post Office's businesses if the closures go ahead.