Grave warnings over Anglesey Post Office proposals

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PRIVATISING Llangefni's post office could be the deathknell for the town centre.

That was the view of Anglesey and Llangefni councillor Dylan Rees at a public meeting at Llangefni town hall today (Friday, October 18) to discuss proposals to close crown post offices in the town and Holyhead.

Cllr Rees did not think Post office chiefs understood the Llangefni branch's "strategic importance" to the town.

He said: "I'm also a member of a social enterprise in Llangefni, and we're working in partnership with other agencies, the town council and council council to regenerate the town centre.

"If you move the post office away from it, you will kill the town centre."

A Post Office representative said that a new post office would have to remain in the community, and that the location was "key" to the "due diligence" of the current process.

Non Williams of the Post Office, said that for every pound spent at a branch, there was a cost of two pounds and 12 pence.

She added the branches would be retained if a new provider could not be found, and that she added that staff would have the option the move to the new post office.

She added: "I realise that there is a real depth of feeling about the service in Llangefni.

"We feel exactly the same about the Post Office service and wut e want to keep a post office in Llangefni.

"But what we don't want is to keep an unsustainable post office.

Miss Williams added: "We would all like to see the status quo remain, ut we have to be responsible and that is what I believe we are doing."

However, Anglesey MP Albert Owen said he was assured when Bangor Crown Post Office was transferred to WHS Smith that no similar measures would happen on the island.

Anglesey AM Rhun ap Iorwerth said that the service were vital to help safeguard town centres.

He said: "To the Post Office I say, think creatively - invest in your services and crown post offices to get more people throught the door.

"That's the way forward and the Post Office has enough expertise and imagination, I'm sure, if they persue the easiest option to allow these post offices to succeed."

Several speakers were concerned that a private sector contract could not guarantees the offices' long term future.

Non Williams said that any company that took on the service would have to give a year's notice before ending their contract.

Andy Furey, CWU national communications officer, said that the Post Office would give £62, 000 - £65,000 to businesses to run the Crown Post Offices, and doubted it would be enough to retain the seven members of staff in Llangefni.

Mr Furey also questioned why bosses received thousands in reward packages over the last two years.