Relocation of Perth's main post office inevitable

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The closure of Perth’s main post office appears inevitable, the staff union has conceded.

Following a six-week period of public consultation, the Post Office announced the timetable for the heavily criticised relocation plan.

The South Street branch will close its doors on Wednesday February 19, with the new branch within WH Smith in the High Street open for business the next morning.

Although the 11 staff do not face compulsory redundancy, the union said it was unclear how many, if any, would choose to transfer to a new employer or be redeployed in the post office.

For its part, the Post Office claimed that not only would the move mean four-and-a-half hours of extra service a week plus Sunday opening, there would be improved accessibility and the same range of products and services.

A spokeswoman for the Communication Workers Union said: “The only thing that would save the (Perth) office is if WH Smith pull out and it doesn’t look like they will do that.”

Roger Gale, Crown Network general manager, said: “We are committed to keeping a post office branch in Perth and to maintaining the same levels of service for our customers.

“We believe the best way for us to do this is to change the way we operate the branch so, following the relocation, it will be run by WH Smith High Street Ltd, rather than by us directly.”

The new post office will have five serving positions.

These will be a mixture of two screened and three open-plan counters.