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Wales’ Deputy First Minister said she has quizzed Post Office bosses over a replacement branch in Caerphilly town centre.
The post office branch at TGJones was lost last month when the national retailer closed its store at Castle Court Shopping Centre.
An application to replace the branch fell through last month, and now the Post Office has re-advertised to find new applicants.
Speaking in the Senedd on Wednesday September 30, Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni MS Lindsay Whittle told the Deputy First Minister, Sioned Williams, about concerns surrounding the replacement branch.
Responding, Ms Williams confirmed she had met with Post Office bosses earlier this week, and was given reassurances.
“I’m pleased to say that the Post Office Ltd confirmed to me – and I did raise post office services in Caerphilly – that they had received expressions of interest to run the post office service in Caerphilly and these are now currently being viewed,” Ms Williams said. “That process from expressions of interest to being typically open takes up to six months.”
Mr Whittle, of Plaid Cymru, said he and Caerphilly County Borough Council leader Jamie Pritchard have met with the Post Office to discuss a suitable town centre replacement – but said the pair had been “encountering a wall of excuses”.
“The reason given by the Post Office as to why alternative sites are ‘unsuitable’ do not stack up,” said Mr Whittle, who called for “transparency” over the process.
Last week, a Post Office spokesperson told Caerphilly Observer: “The vacancy has recently been re-advertised to find suitable applicants with suitable premises.
“We have received new expressions of interest. We are currently reviewing the applications received.”
The spokesperson added: “We are working hard to keep any period of closure to a minimum, but it is too early to estimate when a replacement branch will open.”
Responding to Ms Williams’ comments, Mr Whittle said: “Whilst I am very grateful that the minister has taken up the issue, we are no nearer the reopening. I am angry and will keep fighting.”
“Residents, especially older people and those without transport are being forced to travel to Castle View or Penyrheol just to access basic postal and banking services.”
Council leader Jamie Pritchard, of Labour, said: “The Post Office have told me they re-advertised the branch several weeks ago, and they have received a number of expressions of interest. They say they are currently in the process of shortlisting potential applicants.
“Lindsay Whittle and I have been working together on this issue, as you would expect us to do. I won’t stop until we get the post office in the town reinstated”.
He added: “Regarding the former post office building, I am aware of an interest in it. The building has been marketed, and considering its excellent location next to the castle, it’s in everybody’s interest that this building is put to good use”.
‘Additional services’
Speaking in the Senedd, Reform MS Llŷr Powell highlighted the additional services post offices provide to communities.
Addressing Ms Williams, the Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni MS said: “Once the post office closes, it’s the lack of being able to get ID. It’s the additional services that the Post Office uniquely provides to communities.
“I appreciate what you said on Caerphilly there, but what about other parts of Wales and my constituency that have lost that service, and now people are unable to get identification, because of simple things like the proof-reading, the assistance, that the post office provides? What help can the Welsh Government provide to constituents there?”
Ms Williams said she “fully recognises” the concerns raised, describing those services as “crucial to our communities”.
Pointing out Post Office issues are not devolved to Wales, Ms Williams said: “The UK Government’s commitment to post offices includes plans to retain the size of the network as it is, and that means looking for new businesses to offer those services when individual post offices close.
“But it also includes a commitment to locate post offices in town centres, where possible. Because, as I said, I agree – we know that post offices increase the number of visitors to the high street, as well as providing those crucial services.”
Ms Williams added: “Our programme for government does include a commitment to look at those options to rejuvenate our town centres.”