A copy of the official post office closure document (pdf document – may take some time to load) is now available at the shop.
It shows, amongst other things, that the Post Office considers our closest alternative branch to be in Abbotsham.
Of course, Abbotsham is totally inaccessible for those in the village who rely on the bus service and a clear indication that the bean counters carrying out the exercise have either not visited the area or do not understand the local geography.
Reaction to the closure programme reported in the North Devon Journal, including words from our shop owner:
Both the couple’s businesses have been earmarked to become outreach offices but Mr Horwell sees this as closure.
He said: “They say this is not closure, but this is not how I see it. I am concerned we are not going to be able to remain open.
“The important thing at the moment is to fight to the death for both post offices.”
However, Mr Horwell is concerned that the Buckland Brewer shop can’t remain open on its own.
“We may have to lose one full-time member of staff and four part-time employees that we care deeply about,” he said. “But the staff here are smart enough to realise that their jobs are in jeopardy.
“In Shebbear we have a strong and sustainable business and the post office is very busy. It is a local centre with local services and closure for this office would mean a great deal of damage to the local economy.”
Mr Horwell has organised a public meeting on Monday June 9 at Shebbear Village Hall at 7pm.
The Post Office announced its closure plans for Devon (pdf document) on Tuesday 20 May 2008.
Buckland Brewer post office is slated for closure to be replaced by an ‘outreach service’ (pdf document). For outreach service, read a mobile van offering service 7 hours a week over three days instead of the current 20 hours over five days offered at the shop.
Changes will take effect in August 2008 unless, following the current consultation, the Post Office can be persuaded to change its mind.
As you may know, keeping the post office in the village is vital to keeping the shop open. So, we are faced with a pretty bleak picture. It gets worse. The post office at Shebbear, which is also owned by our shop owner, faces the same fate.
At the Village Hall committee on 21 May, the post office closure was raised and discussed. All present were outraged by this decision, which threatens to tear the heart out of the village.
A public meeting has been suggested and a provisional date of 3 June proposed.
This meeting will allow us to hear from Keith, the shop owner, about what is proposed. He can give us the full picture and to give all of us guidance on how to fight the closure.
Our voices need to be heard. There is an ongoing consultation – links to all the relevant documents are on the Post Office website. The more people who respond the better, though responses need to be evidence based.
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Further information : North Devon Gazette article 21 May 2008
Your post office is threatened with closure. This has major implications for your shop and your village. You can take action.
You can take part. This blog is one of the resources available to all parishioners. Stay tuned here; watch the notice boards in the village; read the leaflets that may come through your door.
This blog has been started by Pete. Some of you will know me from the allotments or the gardeners club. I am concerned about the place in which I live and I want to help improve our lovely village.
I am not organising the campaign, but I believe that a web presence can help drive forward any public campaign. Blogs are a great tool and very easy to use.
Read on. Join in. Take part!
