Sub-postmasters voice their anger

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SUB-postmasters across Hampshire say they feel let down and used by the Post Office after it was revealed that more than 60 branches are to close across the county.

The decision to shut the outlets has been taken by the company in a bid to save money, but yesterday several sub-postmasters we spoke to said they felt that Post Office Ltd had gone back on its word.

Dozens also told how their customers had taken up the challenge of arranging petitions against the closures, with thousands of names already put to paper.

In Hampshire, the Post Office plans to shut 62 of its 291 full-time sub-post offices. The closures will affect both rural and urban areas, though the Post Office insists that most customers will still have a branch within one mile of them.

One Southampton sub-postmaster, who asked not to be named but whose branch is on the threatened list, said: "We feel let down and our customers feel let down.

"Last time they closed branches, they said little shops like ours needed to make more money if they were to survive. Well we have made more money and yet we are still being shut. They have gone back on their word."

Watchdog Postwatch has urged customers to take part in the consultation process the Post Office is now running, and to give the company feedback so it can make informed decisions about where to shut branches and where it should keep them open. The deadline for consultation responses is November 26, with further information at www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange.

For the full story see today's Southern Daily Echo.

5:30am Friday 19th October 2007