Post Office bosses reject pleas for new branch in Wem

Post Office officials have said a new branch is not needed in Wem and that existing services were adequate to cover the area. They also said they were not looking to increase the Post Office's network of branches.

But Councillor John Murray, the town's mayor, said the post office in the Co-op was too small to cope with the extra demand being placed on it.

It is used as a collection service for customers who are not in when the postman calls following the closure and relocation of the town's delivery office in March. It will also be used by customers of NatWest when the bank closes in July.

Valerie Antoine, Post Office spokeswoman, said: "Our programme is about one-for-one replacements, not increasing the network.

"For an entirely new branch in an area with no current post office provision, our analysts assess whether there is sufficient new demand and material changes locally to warrant the introduction of a new post office service point and in this instance we feel there is sufficient provision of services.

"We have a responsibility to our current operators and any assessment has to take account of current provision as we need to ensure that the introduction of a new branch would not unfavourably impact on the business levels of established branches nearby.

"Wem Post Office itself is open from 9am until 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, with selected post office products and services available from the retail counter during shop opening hours, which are from 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

"The opening hours which increased by an extra 45 hours and 30 minutes of post office service a week offer far more choice of times for customers to visit."

Councillor Murray, speaking after NatWest announced it would close its branch in the town, said: "Pressure is going to increase with the delivery office being shut and when the post office is used for banking services.

"It is not satisfactory as there are only two staff on in the post office and there is a delay in getting a parcel or letter that has been sent to you. It is only small and as soon as two or three people are in there it is full. With NatWest transferring its services to the PO it will create more problems.

"I can see Shropshire Council moving some of its services in there in the future as well. It is nice to think they are keeping the post office open, but it would be nice if we had a stand-alone one in High Street."