Anger mounts

19th March 2008

PROTESTERS vented their anger outside a Weston post office threatened with the axe.

Over 20 people gathered at Severn Road Post Office on Monday, chanting ‘save our post office’ and waving banners. The demonstration was organised by post office staff and customers in a bid to save the branch from closure.

Among the crowd were disabled people, pensioners and business owners.

Blind customer Joyce Smith, aged 69, of Clarence Road, said: “It will be impossible for me to get to town. The post office is so important to me and my dog is trained to take me to Severn Road. He will now have to be re-trained, which will take time. The staff are so helpful and I am so comfortable going there. The branch is the centre of the community.”

Disabled pensioner Les Neal, aged 73, of Severn Road, said: “I am not going to be able to get to town, as I can barely walk. My wife is also disabled but having the post office gives us a reason to go out. It makes the morning for all pensioners in the area as we meet and have a chat. It will be a big blow to the community.”
Businesses in Severn Road are also worried about the possible closure.

Music Shop co-owner, Joan Corder, said: “We are going to lose 30 minutes’ business a day as we will have to go to another post office. Moorland Road will be the nearest branch to us and this does not have the counter space to send large parcels.

“There are always long queues, which will prove difficult for business customers. Small businesses will suffer tremendously in Severn Road, as we will lose so many customers who drop in when they visit the post office.”

Severn Road Post Office faces being downgraded or closed along with five others in Weston.

The Post Office plans to close 2,500 branches in the UK in an effort to cut costs and claims it is losing over £4million a week.