Post Offices Will Wither On The Vine Says Postal Editor

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Steve Lawson, editor for Hellmail Postal News said today that if the government failed to return or bring new business to post offices, most rural post offices would close altogether and many other post office services would be transferred to supermarket chains or offlicences.

His comments follow the announcement by the department for Work and Pensions that it is to transfer benefit and pension payments to PayPoint.

"This presents probably the biggest threat to post offices so far and the money that has already been spent and wasted through the forced closure programme which in the end cost as much to implement as it saved, might just as well have not taken place.

"What concerns me is that the decision will have a knock-on effect in many communities where other local shops depend on visitors to the post office for their trade too. This is particularly so in rural areas which are already under pressure from higher fuel prices. I am not suggesting that post offices should be 'protected' with regards to contracts, but the savings being made here will quickly become outshadowed by the devastation caused to local communities and the jobs within those communities.

"In terms of infrastructure and technology We are not yet at a stage where everyone has internet access or the means or funds to drive miles to a cash machine. I can think of numerous rural communities that fit into this category and will be left out on a limb as a result. It is both short-sighted and frankly arrogant to save money on this contract at the expense of all those who will be affected both in the short and long term. Smaller post offices will wither on the vine unless there is proper attention paid to ensuring their futures and such services will ultimately be replaced by vending machines in supermarkets and off-licences as is already happening in other parts of Europe.

"As editor I try to take a neutral view on the many changes affecting postal networks and simply present them as they are, but the lack of real demonstrable commitment by either Royal Mail or the government to work with post office outlets both now and in the future gives little hope that they will survive.

"You have to ask yourself, what would be the point in visiting a post office if the business is being taken away at this rate." he said..

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