POLITICIANS have expressed “disappointment” and “sadness” following the closure of Barry’s Crown post office on Saturday, January 7.

The Holton Road branch closed its doors after Post Office chiefs identified it as “loss-making” with no possibility of the branch breaking even.

Branch overheads included property rent, and energy and staffing costs.

Vale and Barry Town Plaid councillor Ian Johnson criticised Post Office Ltd for its decision.

He said the 2016 closure consultation had been in “bad faith” and didn’t serve its customers' best interests.

He also slated the Vale council saying it had done nothing to maintain the post office in its current location.

Cllr Johnson said: “I’m very saddened that we in Barry have lost our only Crown post office because the Post Office Ltd were most interested in profits than in customers.

“Their consultation was in bad faith, with no realistic option allowed for saving the Post Office in its current location.

“The Vale council should have offered an alternative town centre post office location directly opposite in the Civic Offices, a building which already meets disabled access legislation and has the same parking options. It is a scandal they were not interested in that option.”

Vale MP Alun Cairns said he was “deeply disappointed”.

Mr Cairns said: “Barry is one of the biggest towns in Wales and requires a full range of accessible Post Office services.

“Last year, I worked with a business near the site of the Crown post office to make the case for the introduction of services in their premises off Holton Road as a replacement. This was unfortunately rejected by Post Office decision-makers, as Holton Road is served by a post office at its eastern end.

“Barry needs another post office, particularly following the closures in Highlight Park and on Colcot Road.”

He urged business owners with a premises which could accommodate a post office to contact the company.

Vale AM, Jane Hutt said she was “extremely disappointed” and the loss “was a blow to Barry”.

She added: “I launched a vigorous campaign to save our Crown post office and my petition attracted thousands of signatures - demonstrating the strength of public feeling on this issue. I produced a report as part of the consultation process and met with Post Office chiefs to urge them to reconsider this decision. There is still time for the Post Office to change its mind."

A Post Office spokeswoman said: “We took the decision about Barry Post Office branch after very careful consideration. 
“We have to ensure the Post Office’s network of branches is sustainable into the future – we cannot expect taxpayers to subsidise loss-making branches in towns and cities. 
“There are five branches within two miles of the Barry Post Office, with Kings Square just over half a mile away and action has been taken to make sure that there is sufficient capacity for customers.”