Contact/Cyswllt:  Sian Cliff
02920 898342 / sian.cliff@wales.gov.uk

Lembit Öpik MP and Mick Bates AM have expressed their disappointment following the news that Forden Post Office is set to close today (Friday).

Post Office Ltd has given locals just one weeks notice of the closure.

Lembit said that: “Post Office Ltd have announced that this is just a temporary closure. The same was said about Nantoer Post Office in Newtown last summer. Nantoer is still closed and the building is now up for sale. It seems clear that Nantoer Post Office will remain closed indefinitely.”

“I am a firm believer that Post Offices, especially those in rural areas such as Forden are vital to the local community."

Mick added: “I am really disappointed that this Post Office is closing, locals will be forced to travel to a Post Office now and for those without transport of their own it will be massively inconvenient. I hope that Post Office Ltd are true to their word in saying this is just a temporary closure in Forden but coming just ahead of the Government announcement about branch closures, it seems most unlikely.”

“Lembit and I think we have some brilliant Post Offices in Montgomeryshire. We have visited many of them. I can’t imagine how it’s possible to decide which should close since each offers a unique and vital service to the community. Many provide a lifeline to vulnerable members of our communities.”

The public consultation on Post Office closures will begin on March 11, when details will be released on affected Post Offices across Montgomeryshire.


End / Diwedd



Notes to editors:


- Lembit & Mick have been campaigning for over 12 months against the latest set of Post Office closures including an online version at:

www.savemontgomeryshirespostoffices.co.uk

- Lembit has contacted Post Office Ltd to arrange a meeting and is awaiting a response.

- Between 1979 and 1997 the Conservative shut 3542 Post Offices across the UK.

- Since 1997 Labour have closed over 4000 Post Offices, with a further 2500 set to close.