Jobs to go at Minsterley post office as customer numbers plummet

A Shropshire subpostmaster today claimed he was being forced to make staff redundant and close the village shop section of his business after seeing customer numbers plummet in the last 18 months.

Bruce Bill, subpostmaster at Minsterley Post Office, said he had been forced to take the decision because Royal Mail had lost services and products.

His post office will remain open but the shop side will close meaning it will no longer stock newspapers, groceries, and similar items.

Four staff members have been given notice of redundancy and Mr Bill will now man the post office himself.

He said: "I don't think there will be many subpostmasters around in five or six years because the Government is cutting things and there's a loss of contracts.

"I know I will be letting my regular customers down but I can't carry on as I am."

Mr Bill said his post office salary had fallen by £5,000 and the shop side of the business was not making any money.

He said: "I've put redundancy notices out to staff. It's a vicious catch 22.

"If the Post Office have reduced all the transactions I do because they've lost contracts, people don't come into the shop to do those transactions."

He added: "I'm not making any money. It will just be me in the post office selling a few cards and stationery."