Charles Kennedy: Ross, Skye & Lochaber Lib Dem MP Charles Kennedy has criticised the Post Office for its decision to reduce opening hours for Applecross post office from 17 spread across 5 days of the week to just 12.
Mr Kennedy had asked the post office – who cited falling levels of business when proposing the reduction in hours – to give the new subpostmaster and new premises at least a year to demonstrate whether levels of custom could be turned around.
Commenting, Mr Kennedy said:
“The consultation response from Post Office Ltd is very thin gruel. I regret that the extension of proposed opening hours from 10 to 12 looks more like a pre-planned exercise in pretending to listen than the real thing.
“The reality – from over 20 consultation responses which have been copied to me, as well as the representations made by the Community Council, by myself and by other elected representatives – is that there was a very clear argument against the continued erosion of opening hours at Applecross.
“As in the past, responding to reduction in business by cutting opening hours is a short-sighted and largely self-fulfilling prophecy of decline.
“I am responding again to Post Office Ltd asking them to think further about their commitment to Applecross. The question is whether they have the vision to give a new subpostmaster the chance – on a trial basis if necessary – to make the branch, and the associated business, a success which can boost the economy of the whole peninsula. Many people are convinced that levels of custom can be increased from current levels, but reasonable and reliable opening hours are key.
“There is an opportunity here for a good news story about the post office showing flexibility, and proving that it is serious about shoring up the branch network following the most recent programme of closures last year. I hope central management may yet take the chance to show some imagination and build upon the valuable relationship which post offices have with rural communities rather than continuing to damage it.”
Notes:
o A copy of Post Office Ltd’s consultation response in relation to Applecross is available on request from Gavin Steel – 07732 263663.
o Post Office Ltd originally proposed reducing Applecross from 17 hours to 10 hours per week, without specifying when these hours would be. The consultation response reduces the hours to 12 per week, specifying 9am to 12noon on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays and 1pm to 4pm on Wednesdays. The post office will be closed on Tuesdays and Saturdays.