CHELTENHAM POST OFFICE TRANSFER TO WHSMITH MUST NOT RESULT IN FURTHER FALL IN SERVICES, SAYS MARTIN

6.16.52pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 19th Apr 2007

The Post Office today announced that the Cheltenham Post Office will be one of 70 branches transferred to nearby WHSmith stores.

Commenting Martin said:

"This is worrying news considering the serious cuts in the number of Post Office branches in Cheltenham in recent years. Last year there were just 10 post offices in Cheltenham compared to 19 four years ago.

"We must be very careful that the transfer of the Post Office to the WHSmith store does not result in a further fall in the level of service available. Recent closures have made Post Office services far less accessible to many of those who rely on them, and we must make sure that the latest change improves this situation, or at least does not make it any worse.

"I am also very concerned about those Post Office workers who may lose their jobs as a result of this change. And we must not forget the danger that there will be a drop in the quality of the service provided if Post Office workers are replaced with less experienced store staff."