Post Offices in line to be closed

Fifty-three Post Offices across Staffordshire and Shropshire were today facing the axe.

Staff in rural branches have been given the news they could be closed within weeks, in a decision set to spark uproar among customers.

Among those named today was Codsall Wood Post Office – named Best Rural Post Office in the Midlands in 2003.

Post offices across Stafford were among the worst hit, with branches in Great Bridgeford, Marston Road, Milford and Wolverhampton Road affected.

Two in Lichfield are under threat, at Whittington Barracks and St John Street, as is St Aidans in Pye Green, Cannock. Seisdon Post Office in Crockington Lane, near Wolverhampton, is also in the firing line.

Postmaster Gurj Boparai, aged 34, who has run it for three years, said: "When I bought it, the post office said they had closed all the ones they were going to, so I spent £50,000 revamping the store."

Sub post-mistress at Whittington Barracks Kath Gubb said: "The way I stand at the moment I might lose my livelihood."

Norton post office in Village Road, Shifnal, is among 12 that could to be subject of an "outreach" programme, replaced by a mobile service or based elsewhere in the village.

The closures are part of a nationwide programme to shut branches which the Government says are not longer viable.

A six-week consultation began today.

Martin Partington, Post Office Ltd's network development manager for Shropshire and Staffordshire, said: "We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on or has any concern with Post Office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes, and able to give views on them."

Post offices in the West Midlands will be given the news in August.

Post offices under threat

Codsall Wood, Wolverhampton; Seisdon Post Office & Stores, Wolverhampton; Marston Road, Stafford; Great Bridgeford, Stafford; Milford, Stafford; Wolverhampton Road, Stafford; St Aidans, Cannock; St John Street, Lichfield; 178 Main Street, Stonnall, near Lichfield; Hilton, Bridgnorth; The Hobbins, Bridgnorth; Walton, Stone; Whittington Barracks, Lichfield; Hopwas, Tamworth; Borough Park, Tamworth; Norton, Shifnal is proposed for replacement.