Battle to save Paignton's main Post Office from chop

A campaign has been launched to save Paignton's Crown and main Post Office from the chop with a local councillor describing the potential loss as a 'tragedy'.

The Paignton town centre site is among four Devon offices named on a list of 115 around the country under threat of closure. The Post Office says the branches make significant losses.

Crown Post Offices are owned and run directly by the Post Office, with Paignton’s conveniently located next to a Royal Mail Delivery Office (Which is not affected by this announcement). The full range of Post Office services are available. Nearly 1,000 Post Office staff work at the affected branches. The Post Office is owned by the Government, so Ministers will consider the plan.

Whilst the announcement indicates other franchising options may be looked at, local campaigners are concerned at the potential loss of a facility valued by many due to the helpful team of staff who work there. The news comes despite the Post Office expanding its work into areas like banking hubs and the growing demand for online retail and supported access to services.

Paignton resident and local campaigner Peter Middleton said: “This news is a blow not only for the Town Centre, but the many who use its services. It is also sad to hear the team there may now face losing their roles. Instead of just axing this part of the network, I want the Post Office to better consider how they could be used to support many people who struggle with using online websites and services, including banking.”

Former Bay MP Kevin Foster added: "A real transformation plan would see the Post Office look more carefully at how, in a time when online shopping services and the need for assisted digital access to services is growing, their network could be at the forefront of delivering them and assisting the more vulnerable in society.

“A strong campaign saved Torre Post Office in Torquay so I am pleased to be working with Peter to ensure the voice of Paignton people is heard on this plan as well.”

Cllr Christine Carter (Lib Dem, Roundham with Hyde) represents the ward in which the Paignton PO sits. She said: “It would be inconvenient and tragic to lose this mainline Post Office. It is crucial to the local businesses and residents.

“This Post Office can be used for banking, which is increasingly important as the banks that are still in Paignton are not open very long in the week and hardly any on Saturdays.

“This Post Office is also useful for so many other things such as road tax, passport checks, foreign exchange and sending parcels, to name just a few. It is a vital asset, and this is shocking news.”

Cllr Carter said she wanted to know what engagement Torbay Council had had with the Post Office to try to stop the closure.

Torbay’s Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling, meanwhile, has called for a meeting with Post Office managers. He says: "I am shocked. This Post Office is part of the beating heart of Paignton town centre.

“I have written to the authorities at the Post Office, seeking an urgent meeting, and I have also written to the appropriate minister, seeking some assurances around this as well.”

The 115 branches are those wholly-owned by the Post Offices rather than the smaller franchises. They currently employ around 1,000 staff.

Options could include operators such as WHSmith taking on the branches, or closure.

The business has faced challenges in recent years including competition from rival parcel operators like Evri and fewer people sending letters or undertaking transactions such as renewing vehicle tax.

Other Post Offices in Paignton, Torquay and Brixham are not affected by this announcement. They are mostly small businesses owned by a sub-postmaster who provides Post Office services. Campaigners are urging residents to continue supporting and using them, alongside the Paignton Crown Post Office.

Other Devon Post Offices on the list are at Bideford, Teignmouth and Mutley in Plymouth.

The petition opposing the plan and demanding other options are considered to avoid closing this service can be found at: 

www.kevinjfoster.com/campaigns/save-paignton-post-office