New location may aid post offices

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7254462.stm

Moving postal services to libraries and leisure centres could save one in five post offices in London from closing, a council has said.

Westminster City Council offered the alternative after Tuesday's announcement that 169 of the capital's 850 post offices could close.

It said putting post counters in its buildings would preserve services and boost the authority's income.

A six-week consultation has begun on the Post Office's plans.

Councillor Tony Devenish said: "Post offices are vital for local communities and, at a time when the Government says it wants councils to enhance community cohesion and improve local services, we have this venerable national institution ripping the heart out of high streets up and down the land.

"I am saddened at the savage cuts announced by the Post Office and believe our proposals can offer a viable alternative."

The Post Office's plans are part of a wider move to close up to 2,500 post offices nationwide, which began in October last year.

The government has said mounting debts mean post offices needs to be closed in order to curb losses currently running at £4m a week.

Figures show many post offices are losing large numbers of customers who used to come to the Post Office to claim their benefits but now get payments straight into their bank account.