Wem's delivery office could close, says Royal Mail

Royal Mail bosses have cast doubt over the future of Wem delivery office after announcing the company is in consultation with staff about a potential closure.

The building, in Wem Business Park off New Street, has been under scrutiny since 2010 when the mail giant's chiefs warned its services could be relocated to Shrewsbury.

Today, Royal Mail spokeswoman Val Bodden said: "Royal Mail is exploring an option to relocate Wem delivery office to its office in Shrewsbury in spring 2016.

"This is part of Royal Mail's ongoing transformation of its business and its work to increase the efficiency of its operations.

"We are talking to our union and our people about this potential move and seeking their feedback.

"No final decision has been made yet.

"We are committed to continuing to provide a first class service to our business and residential customers served by these offices.

"If the move goes ahead, detailed planning will take place to ensure a smooth transition for our operations, our people and the service we provide to our customers.

"We have a strong track record of managing change and we will work with our staff and our unions to give them the opportunity to discuss the implications in detail.

"If this move goes ahead, there will be no job losses.

"We also reimburse our staff for any extra mileage incurred by changes to their place of work."

There are currently about 10 people based at the Wem office – which serves parts of the SY4 postcode from Wem to areas like Hadnall and Upper Battlefield on the outskirts of Shrewsbury – and 175 at the Shrewsbury site 10.7 miles away.

But councillors this week said they had been faced with rumours circulating the town about its potential closure and pledged to discuss the issue at the next town council meeting.

Councillor Edward Towers said: "Obviously we are concerned for jobs but we think the closure is also a retrograde step.

"We don't know enough at the moment to know if it is going ahead.

"We have put it on the agenda at the next meeting so that we can do some investigating in the meantime.

"It has been lingering in the background over the years and we don't want to be caught by surprise.

"We want to know in enough time so we can put forward our views."

In 2010, Royal Mail confirmed a feasibility study into the transfer of work from Wem to Shrewsbury had taken place. Members of Wem Town Council pleaded with Royal Mail to come clean about the town's sorting office at a meeting.