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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| PO branch saved but 48 to close | PO branch saved but 48 to close |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The Post Office has announced 48 branches across north Wales are to close, following a consultation period. | The Post Office has announced 48 branches across north Wales are to close, following a consultation period. |
| This is four fewer than the 52 earmarked for closure when the initial list was unveiled in July. | This is four fewer than the 52 earmarked for closure when the initial list was unveiled in July. |
| Only one branch is saved outright - Cerrigydrudion post office at Corwen, Denbighshire. Another three will have a change to either their opening hours or the services they have available. | Only one branch is saved outright - Cerrigydrudion post office at Corwen, Denbighshire. Another three will have a change to either their opening hours or the services they have available. |
| There has been a mixed response from campaigners. | There has been a mixed response from campaigners. |
| Consumer Focus (previously Postwatch) welcomed the decision to save the Cerrigydrudion branch. | Consumer Focus (previously Postwatch) welcomed the decision to save the Cerrigydrudion branch. |
| "We opposed this particular proposal on the basis that customers would have been excessively inconvenienced were this closure to proceed," said the group. I feel incredibly angry, everyone here is in shock Ann Jones, post office campaigner | "We opposed this particular proposal on the basis that customers would have been excessively inconvenienced were this closure to proceed," said the group. I feel incredibly angry, everyone here is in shock Ann Jones, post office campaigner |
| The full list of closures comes at the end of seven weeks of public consultation. | The full list of closures comes at the end of seven weeks of public consultation. |
| During this time Post Office Ltd said they received around 1,450 responses to the proposed changes. | During this time Post Office Ltd said they received around 1,450 responses to the proposed changes. |
| The company said it had decided to retain a total of 271 branches across the north Wales area, but to go ahead with 48 closures, and 13 replacement outreach services. | The company said it had decided to retain a total of 271 branches across the north Wales area, but to go ahead with 48 closures, and 13 replacement outreach services. |
| The outreach services are proposals which could mean communities are serviced with either mobile post offices, or a post office is set up in a premises for a few hours each week. | The outreach services are proposals which could mean communities are serviced with either mobile post offices, or a post office is set up in a premises for a few hours each week. |
| A further review is to take place into the future of branches at Church Terrace, Llandudno Junction, Llanfrothen and Llanfwrog. | A further review is to take place into the future of branches at Church Terrace, Llandudno Junction, Llanfrothen and Llanfwrog. |
| Post Office Ltd's network development manager for Wales Steve Geraty said the decisions had been "difficult" and "not taken lightly". | Post Office Ltd's network development manager for Wales Steve Geraty said the decisions had been "difficult" and "not taken lightly". |
| 'Long term' | 'Long term' |
| "We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation and we believe the amended plan announced today offers out customers the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future." | "We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation and we believe the amended plan announced today offers out customers the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future." |
| Mr Geraty said all decisions had been taken bearing in mind the UK government's minimum access criteria and the other factors the it had asked to be considered. | Mr Geraty said all decisions had been taken bearing in mind the UK government's minimum access criteria and the other factors the it had asked to be considered. |
| "We need to look at the future and the long term viability of all the remaining branches in this area, especially in Cerrigydrudion," he added. | "We need to look at the future and the long term viability of all the remaining branches in this area, especially in Cerrigydrudion," he added. |
| "I would like to appeal to all customers and businesses across north Ales to support their local branch." | "I would like to appeal to all customers and businesses across north Ales to support their local branch." |
| On Anglesey, news that the village of Talwrn will lose its post office was met with dismay by Ann Jones who had campaigned to keep it open. | On Anglesey, news that the village of Talwrn will lose its post office was met with dismay by Ann Jones who had campaigned to keep it open. |
| Angry | Angry |
| "I feel incredibly angry, everyone here is in shock," she said. "I'm angry too at the way we have been treated by the Post Office. | "I feel incredibly angry, everyone here is in shock," she said. "I'm angry too at the way we have been treated by the Post Office. |
| "We have worked very hard to keep the post office open and they (Post Office Ltd) have not listened. | "We have worked very hard to keep the post office open and they (Post Office Ltd) have not listened. |
| "This will be a huge loss to the village." | "This will be a huge loss to the village." |
| At Trawsfynydd opening hours will be cut. | At Trawsfynydd opening hours will be cut. |
| Local Gwynedd councillor Tom Ellis said: "I am glad it is not closing but the hours will be halved. | Local Gwynedd councillor Tom Ellis said: "I am glad it is not closing but the hours will be halved. |
| "I'm afraid that people will go elsewhere and over time the service will deteriorate." | "I'm afraid that people will go elsewhere and over time the service will deteriorate." |
| Clwyd West MP David Jones said he was also disappointed that seven post offices in his constituency would close but "relieved" Cerrigydrudion was to be spared. | Clwyd West MP David Jones said he was also disappointed that seven post offices in his constituency would close but "relieved" Cerrigydrudion was to be spared. |
| "The proposal to close that office, in a particularly remote area and in an important local centre, never made sense," he said. | "The proposal to close that office, in a particularly remote area and in an important local centre, never made sense," he said. |
| "The community in and around Cerrigydrudion fought an effective battle to keep their post office open and I am delighted that their effort has paid off." | "The community in and around Cerrigydrudion fought an effective battle to keep their post office open and I am delighted that their effort has paid off." |
| Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has said he was "deeply saddened" by the closure of four local post offices. | Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has said he was "deeply saddened" by the closure of four local post offices. |
| "The issue now is ensuring that as much business as possible is transacted through Wrexham's remaining post offices," he said. | "The issue now is ensuring that as much business as possible is transacted through Wrexham's remaining post offices," he said. |
| North Wales AM Janet Ryder added: "Management has shown no mercy, despite the vigorous community campaigns to save these services. Villages across the north will lose out." | North Wales AM Janet Ryder added: "Management has shown no mercy, despite the vigorous community campaigns to save these services. Villages across the north will lose out." |
| Branches to close are: | Branches to close are: |
| Aberangell, Machynlleth; Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay: Acton Park, Wrexham; Alexandra Road, Llandudno; Bradley, Wrexham; Brynford, Holywell; Brynhedydd, Rhyl; Bwlchtocyn, Pwllheli; Caergeiliog, Holyhead; Carmel, Holywell; Carneddi, Bethesda; Church Drive, Rhos-on-Sea; Clocaenog, Ruthin; Cwm-y-Glo, Caernarfon; Cymau, Wrexham. | |
| Deiniolen, Caernarfon; Four Mile Bridge, Holyhead; Gerlan, Bethesda; Golftyn, Deeside; Grange Road, Rhyl; Gronant, Prestatyn; Gwernmynydd, Mold; Holyway Londis Stores, Holywell; Lixwm, Holywell; Llaingoch Community Centre, Holyhead; Llanbedrgoch, Llanbedrgoch; Llanbedrog Fford, Pwllheli; Llandegfan, Old Llandegfan; Llandudno Road, Colwyn Bay; Llangian, Pwllheli; Llanwnda, Caernarfon. | |
| Marchwiel, Wrexham; Morfa, Morfa Conwy; New Brighton, Mold; New Broughton, Wrexham; Penmorfa, Porthmadog; Ponciau, Wrexham; Pontybodkin Reflections Hairdressers, Mold; Rhos y Medre, Wrexham; Rhosemor, Mold; Rhosrobin, Wrexham; Sumerhill, Wrexham. | |
| Talwrn Siop Isa, Llangefni; Talybont, Barmouth; Tanyfron Llwyn Ifor Stores, Wrexham; Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog; Trevor, Llangollen; West End, Pwllheli. |