The Post Office to close branches, cut jobs and lose specialist roles

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The Post Office is planning to close and franchise 37 Crown offices, with loss of 300 jobs and 127 specialist roles, according to the Communication Workers' Union (CWU).

It said announcements made over the a year ago already meant job losses in Crown offices, plus supply chain and admin roles.

Protests against the closures were held before Christmas by members of the public with sackfulls of post cards showing their support for the union's campaign.

"The aim of our proposals is to ensure that Post Office branches remain where people want them e.g. on high streets, in shopping centres etc and are convenient".

The union is also concerned about job losses and pension provision.

General secretary Dave Ward said: "The latest round of closures is further evidence that the Post Office is in crisis and that the board of the company, backed by the Government, is simply pursuing a strategy of slash and burn".

"Regarding Diss - this is one of the locations where we are seeking a retail partner because the Post Office branch will not be sustainable into the future and we want to make sure that we safeguard services", a Post Office statement read.

Roger Gale, sales and trade marketing director for the Post Office, said moving to franchise agreements was in line with most of the company's 11,600 branches across the UK.