Call to save 'major asset' Post Office branch

Plymouth councillors have called on the Post Office to scrap plans to close one of its branches in the city.

Up to 115 Post Office branches and hundreds of head office jobs are at risk as part of a major shake-up of the business.

At a Plymouth City Council meeting on Monday, councillor Angela Penrose said the branch at Mutley Plain, which is at risk, was a "major asset contributing to the viability and popularity" of the area.

Bideford, Newquay, Paignton and Teignmouth are among the branches at risk in Devon and Cornwall.

Ms Penrose's motion to write to the Post Office's interim chair, Nigel Railton, and request a reversal of plans to close the branch was supported at the meeting.

She said the branch was well used by residents including young people and students, adding there was always a “substantial queue”.

Ms Penrose said the branch had access for wheelchairs, nearby parking and flexible space for service points.

"Traders are striving to keep [the] area relevant and thriving," she said.

“Having this one in Mutley makes it so much easier for residents.

"We want to support Mutley Plain being a local shopping centre."

The government-owned company said the at-risk branches, which employ about 1,000 staff in total, are making a loss.

Mr Railton recently said the Post Office had "long held a publicly-stated ambition to move to a fully franchised network".

"We are in dialogue with the unions about future options for the directly managed branches", he said.

He said the move would result an additional £250m of extra revenue for sub-postmasters.

There are 11,000 Post Office franchises across the country.

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