Proposed Post Office closure statement

Yesterday, Tuesday 24 June, Stratford-on-Avon District Council is united in its response to the proposed closure of 2 Post Offices in Warwickshire, following the Post Office announcement.  

The proposed closures affecting Stratford-on Avon-District are:

• Broome Post Office, 20 High Street, Broom, Alcester and
• Bridgetown Post Office, 5 Tiddington Road, Stratford-upon-Avon.  

Different arrangements for the post office services are proposed with the introduction of Outreach Post Office services for part of the working week in the following communities:

• Brailes
• Ilmington
• Long Compton
• Preston-on-Stour and
• Wilmcote.  

"Whilst Stratford-on-Avon District Council is disappointed about the proposed Post Office closures in Broome and Bridgetown in Stratford, it is welcome news that the District has secured five Outreach Services," says Cllr Les Topham, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council.  

"From the start of this review, the District Council has been involved in the consultation process with the Post Office and the closure programme and understands that many residents value their post office particularly the elderly and more vulnerable and this has been proven with the Outreach Post Offices in the District.  This means that customers living or working in the communities affected by the closure programme will continue to enjoy access to Post Office services."  

"Stratford-on-Avon District Council regrets any decision that reduces vital services to rural communities.  Provision of post office services is one of these services and the District Council is actively working to secure future access to local services and viable alternatives that will not cost the taxpayer.  It is important to maintain services in rural communities to ensure villages remain vibrant," says Paul Lankester, Chief Executive of Stratford-on-Avon District Council.  

The announcement of the Post Office closures marks the start of a six week public consultation period and all representations should be received by 4 August 2008.

To express your views write to Mark Partington, Network Development ManagerC/o National Consultation Team, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM

Or email to: consultation@postoffice.co.uk or call Customer Helpline: 08457 22 33 44  

*Post Office Outreach Services The Post Office believes Outreach services are a cost effective and sustainable way of delivering services in rural communities. 
An Outreach Service involves Sub postmasters of larger 'Core Post Office' branches providing services through a number of different methods:  

• Hosted Service - mobile counter position; located in a local community building or business such as village shop, church hall or garage; opened specified hours on set days.       
• Partner Service - fixed counter; located in retail outlet, shop or café; generally open the same hours as partner's business.
• Home Service - access Post Office products and services by phone; delivered direct to your door or collect from a drop-in session at a fixed time location; phone line available 24 hours, seven days a week.
• Mobile Service - mobile Post Office van with a counter service inside; parker at pre-determined safe location; available at fixed periods.    

Fact file:
The government has instructed Post office Ltd to close 2,500 of it branches to be spread evenly over the country.  The access rules laid down by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) are as follows:  

• 99% of the UK population must be within 3 miles of a post office (with 90% within 1 mile).
• 99% of the population within deprived areas must be within 1 mile of a post office.
• 95% of the urban population must be within 1 mile of a post office.
• 95% of the rural population must be within 3 miles of a post office.  

The criteria for deciding which post offices are to close include:

• Access (as mentioned above)
• The profit or loss made.
• The number of customers.
• Local factors eg bus routes.  

Consultation timetable
The local Area plan will cover Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire.

• 24 June Formal consultation document outlining closure proposals starts.
• 4 August Consultation period closes.
• 29 August approx Final decisions announced.
• October Post Office closures start.  

The proposed closure of 17 Post Offices out of 139 that exist county wide.
The closures in Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire is 14.5%
The National average for closures in an area is 18%