BISCOE & TAYLOR GET ASSURANCE

‘TRURO & St. AUSTELL POST OFFICES SAFE – BUT UNDER REVIEW!’ SAYS ROYAL MAIL

Following warnings some months ago that the Post Office is looking at closing or franchising Crown Post Offices such as Truro’s main post office in High Cross, Truro County Councillor,Bert Biscoe, and Matthew Taylor M.P. have received an assurance from Mick Fisher, Head of Government relations at Royal Mail Group p.l.c., that: "the media reports about a mass closure programme were wrong. This is not a closure programme and never has been."

Bert Biscoe wrote to Matthew Taylor following reports before Christmas that Crown Offices were under threat. Both have been been concerned about the future of the Post Office network for many years. Mr. Biscoe is a former member of the Truro Post Office Advisory Council, which later became Postwatch.

The letter from Royal Mail describes the review process which is going on, saying: "Every Branch is considered on an individual basis, but we have not yet reached any decisions."

Mr Fisher concludes by saying: "If we find that our plans do include proposed changes to the directly managed branches in your area then we will be back in contact to share our proposals with you. I should say however that the overall size of the full service network is expected to remain pretty much as now and we will continue to have around 1500 branches nationally which offer customers the full range of Post Office services."

Mr Biscoe commented: "The message is clear – Use it or lose it. The Post Office is a vital part of our social infrastructure. We must be vigilant. There must be concerns about the tension caused when a service facility is forced to operate as a business. All public services should be cost-effective and provide excellent service. The whole community depends on the Post Office. If we use it then it will survive the review."

ENDS