Whitstable - Post Office axes Budgens franchise plans

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Post Office axes Budgens franchise plans as store is taken over by 'direct management'

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POST Office Ltd has cancelled proposals today (Friday) to transfer Whitstable post office to Budgens and put an early end to the public consultation on the move.

The company initially put Whitstable on the list of Crown Post Offices to be franchised 18 months ago and has faced vehement opposition from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and the local community about the proposals.

Today’s announcement came after speculation that Budgens is closing its store in the town, which leaves Post Office Ltd without a retail partner. However, the company makes it clear that it still wants to see the post office in Whitstable franchised.

A "colleagues' briefing" to staff at the Whitstable post office said that Budgens had been the proposed site for the franchise and a conditional contract had been signed with parent company Rimkin. But it added: "Yesterday we were informed by Budgen/Rimkin that the decision had been taken to close the store." Plans have been made to reopen next week under direct management.

The statement added that because of the situation Post Office Ltd " has had to close the public consultation on plans to transfer the branch to Rimkin" and there is now no "preferred retail partner."

A Post Office spokesperson said: “Post Office Ltd has been informed by Budgens that the store in Whitstable, which was run by an independent retail partner, has temporarily closed. Budgens has confirmed that the store will re-open next week under their direct management.

“As a result, we are ceasing the public consultation on our proposal to relocate the Post Office within the Budgens store. In the meantime the Crown Post Office will continue to operate as usual and we will provide a further update as soon as matters are clearer.”

Andy Furey, national officer for the CWU, said: “Post Office Ltd has been desperate to get rid of Whitstable post office for nearly two years. Plans to franchise Whitstable collapsed because of the incompetence of Post Office Ltd and the fierce opposition of local people.

“This whole process has been an absolute shambles and still the company refuses to admit they’ve been beaten. It is absolutely disgraceful that staff working at Whitstable post office, and the local community, have been left in limbo for the past 18 months. They deserve to be given certainty that their much-loved post office will be staying in Whitstable and that their jobs are safe. Post Office Ltd owes them that at least.”

Mole Meade, CWU area representative: “While we are pleased that the post office is remaining where it is for the community in Whitstable, today’s announcement highlights the many issues we have faced throughout this process.

“Post Office Ltd failed to do any proper checks on their intended partners which is why they’re in the situation they are now. It’s unacceptable and no way to treat dedicated and hard-working members of staff and the fantastic customers of Whitstable post office.”

Campaigner Julie Wassmer said: "Residents and shopkeepers supporting the Save Whitstable Crown Post Office campaign throughout the last 18 months are overjoyed that the Post Office Ltd has withdrawn its plans for a franchise post office service in Budgens. It seems ironic that the Post Office should have championed ‘significantly longer opening hours’ in its recent press release about the move, when the store’s opening hours were unpredictable of late, and its ever declining stocks raised concerns for many people as to what the Post Office could possibly define as a “suitable franchisee.” The store has now closed and the Post Office seems to have come to its senses. We hope that no other “suitable franchisee” comes forward, for without one, our valued and historic Crown Post Office service will remain secure."