One in six local Post Offices shut since 1999

11.01.52am GMT Wed 8th Dec 2004

Nearly one in six local Post Offices have closed in the last five years, according to Lib Dem Mike Bell

New Research compiled by the Liberal Democrats has revealed that nearly one in six Post Offices in the Woodspring Constituency have closed in the last 5 years.

Nationally, nearly 2,200 post offices have closed since 2000, a reduction of 12%.

According to figures from the House of Commons Library, the number of Post Offices in the Woodspring Constituency has fallen from 25 in October 1999 to 21 in April 2004. With closures planned in Portishead at Redcliffe Bay and West Hill, this number is set to fall still further.

Commenting on the figures Mike Bell, the Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Woodspring Constituency, said

"The closure of the local post office has an immense effect on the surrounding community, especially on more vulnerable people like pensioners and disabled people who depend on its services.

"Government policies like Direct Payment of benefits have significantly undermined post offices as viable businesses. Many Subpostmasters have lost out significantly from this measure alone. The Government's solution has been to pour massive subsidies into the rural network to keep it afloat and introduce a programme of closures in urban areas.

"This is not the way to secure the future of the network. Post offices need to be able to offer new services and products that will attract people back into their local branch and replace the income Government policies have drained away."

Over the last couple of months, Mike Bell has undertaken a comprehensive survey of the local Post Office network and has quizzed subpostmasters on the issues affecting their businesses. He will be publishing the results shortly.

Notes:

Post Office Numbers in Woodspring Constituency (covers Clevedon, Portishead, Nailsea and surrounding rural areas) -

October 1999 - 25

July 2002 - 23

April 2004 - 21

Change 1999-2004 - down 4 16%

Source: House of Commons Library, Post Office Limited data