Anger over plans to move Carmarthen's King Street post office
POST Office chiefs are being urged to face the public head-on to explain proposals to franchise Carmarthen's King Street branch to a shop elsewhere in the town.
Town leaders have said a public meeting must be called soon to give residents a voice over the controversial plans and to grill Post Office bosses.
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Mayor Phil Grice told a meeting of the town council: "We've had our say, the Post Office union has spoken and traders.
"The rally in town was very well supported and we have keep the momentum going.
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"Now it's the public's turn to have their say in all this and so a meeting has to be held soon."
More than 1,000 names have already been collected on a petition to ensure the town retains a crown post office branch.
Plans to relocate the service from King Street are being described as devastating, and campaigners says it would be the death-knell for King Street.
Councillor Richard Edwards questioned the statement by the Post Office made in recent weeks which said the plans aimed to "enhance the customer experience."
He added: "How can moving and downgrading the service into a shop be in any way an enhancement to the customer experience?
Councillor Doug Rose described the situation as privatisation, adding: "If the post office moves it really will be the death knell for King Street. There are already a myriad of empty shops."
It was agreed to push forward with the petition and hold a public meeting.
Mr Grice is also awaiting a response from Post Office chiefs after sending a personal letter to them last week.
Post Office spokesman Stuart Taylor said: "Post Office representatives would welcome the opportunity to explain the reasons for our proposal to start the search for a retail partner in the town and to hear the views of customers, local elected members and other interested parties.
"This week Post Office representatives met with a group of local councillors in Carmarthen to discuss our plans."
Comments
by maxmin
Friday, March 01 2013, 12:56PM
“Grill Post Office Bosses? Surely the horse meat scandal was bad enough without grilled Post Office bosses being added to your burger?
Everytime I have used this Post Office I have found the staff have been fantastic, professional, quick and accurate.”