Local Lib Dem councillor Stephen Fenton is pressing Post Office Ltd for answers on the future of Woodthorpe Post Office, after it became known locally that the branch is to cease operating on 13th May.

There have been concerns about the branch for some time. In November 2018 it was closed suddenly, and subsequently re-opened on 7 December. Then in April 2019 opening hours were reduced, with the counter closed on Friday afternoons and all day Saturday.

Stephen contacted Post Office Ltd on 3 April to raise concerns about the reduced opening times and was told in a response sent on 17 April that
“I cannot see any planned changes for the branch that are upcoming and as such I have notified the Area Management Team for the branch so they can investigate further and speak with the Postmaster.” 

Stephen contacted Post Office Ltd again on 26 April when it became known that the branch was to close, asking to speak with someone from the Area Management Team as a matter of urgency. No response has been received to date.

Stephen has called on Post Office Ltd to provide information to the local community, and engage with local councillors.

It would appear that Post Office Ltd is not adhering to its own Code of Practice in this situation. The Code applies to ‘the handling of the localised changes that can and do happen across such a large network for all sorts of reasons. When these changes do happen, whether they are planned or whether they occur without warning, we will always ensure that the minimum access criteria outlined by the Government are met and that the needs of customers are taken into account as much as is possible.’

UPDATE – a handwritten note has been sellotaped to the Post Office window announcing that the counter will close on Monday 13th May. Post Office Ltd tweeted on 7th May that “we’re currently awaiting further updates on this from the Area Management Team for the branch.”