Post office closures hit South West hard

The South West was hit harder than anywhere else in the country during the recent Post Office closure programme.

There were 295 Post Office closures in the South West, more than in any other region. A further 74 were converted to outreach.

During the national closure programme there were nine closures in the Wells constituency, which covers Croscombe, Dinder, Easton, Priory Road (Wells), Pylle, Ridgeway (Shepton Mallet), Walton, Windmill Hill in Glastonbury and Wookey Hole. A tenth branch, West End, in Street, was proposed for closure but saved.

Commenting on a Public Accounts Committee report on the Post Office closure programme, Andy Burrows of Consumer Focus, said: "Everything possible should be done to avoid further Post Office closures. The Post Office network is a valuable national asset and remains well placed to offer essential services in the communities that need them most. Government must realise this potential and deliver a plan to make Post Offices thrive.

"Decisions made now will determine whether the remaining Post Office network has a future.

"The clear message from the closure programme was that consumers value their Post Office. Government must heed this message and make sure Post Offices offer products and services that consumers actually want. Channelling more public services through Post Office branches would provide a much needed shot in the arm for local communities and improve people's access to vital services.

"Clear lessons must be learned from the failings of the closure programme. Post Office Ltd's inability to communicate well with customers made a difficult situation much worse. After the pain of so many closures, the UK deserves a modern, viable Post Office network that meets the needs of the communities it serves."