Frankly Sam, you can't put letters in our post box!

[POSTMAN]

http://www.barry-today.co.uk/news.cfm?i ... post%20box" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;!

ROYAL?MAIL?TELLS?OFF?BUSINESSMAN


A Cowbridge businessman is angry after being told off by the Royal Mail for posting letters in the town’s post box, writes PHILIP IRWIN.

Because Sam Smith, of Sam Smith Travel, uses the Royal Mail’s franking service, last week he received a letter telling him to “ensure that your franked mail is posted at your local Post Office”.

The letter, from the Franking Administration Team, said that he had been contacted previously about this, but “It has been noted that this occurred again on 24/02/2015”.

What is missing from the letter is any acknowledgement that the Cowbridge Post Office closed almost a year ago (on April 23, 2014)!

Sam Smith told The GEM:?“Ever since the town’s Post Office closed, we have had no choice but to use the post box.

“It’s only since the closure that you realise that the town has only one postbox that I know of. In the run up to Christmas, we used to have to get items in the post by 11am, because the box would be full by noon!”

He said that as a travel agent, he sent out a lot of mail, and that the closure of the post office had already cost the Royal Mail a significant sum.

He explained:?“On average, every day we send out about 10 special delivery envelopes, in addition to our franked mail.

“We had to place that business with a courier service instead, so the lack of a post office has cost the Royal Mail money, and caused businesses a great deal of inconvenience.”

Mr Smith has written to the Royal Mail, reminding them that the nearest post office is 15 to 20 minutes away.

In his reply, he said:?“Perhaps Royal Mail is unaware that Cowbridge does not have a post office.

“Indeed, it was closed last year and, despite massive inconvenience to local businesses and residents, we still do not have a post office to serve this community.”.

His letter concluded:?“The obvious answer is to install a post office but there seems to be a lack of will on your part to do that so, unless you do, may I suggest that you allow franked mail to be placed in the only pillar box in town, as there is obviously no alternative.”

The GEM approached the Royal Mail for a comment but, at the time of going to press, one had not been received.