Left 'in limbo' by post office review

FURY, inevitability and injustice were just a handful of emotions felt by campaigners after learning their hard work to save Teignbridge post offices had been in vain.

Campaigners and postmasters have spoken out after Post Office Ltd confirmed the closure of branches in Hennock, Holcombe and Stokeinteignhead.

In a further blow, it has also been announced that Abbotskerswell's branch may close, subject to a six-week consultation period.

But Dartmoor branches in Widecombe-in-the-Moor and Lustleigh have been granted last-minute reprieves.

They faced being replaced with an outreach service but are under further review and decisions will be 'announced shortly', said Post Office Ltd.

The move to put off a decision has only created more problems, said Widecombe postmaster Trevor Eveleigh, who has run the branch for just under four years.

He said: “We are in limbo. We have been told we were going to close and then we were told that we are staying open for the time being.

“What happens if I am offered a job in the meantime?

“The Post Office just keeps changing its mind. It seems as if us postmasters are the last consideration in this.”

He criticised the company for not recognising the work, money and dedication postmasters put in, saying: “They tell us we need to be community minded. Well, that doesn't pay the bills, unfortunately.”

Stokeinteignhead's postmaster and shopkeeper Tony Hibbert said it was a 'sad day for village life'.

“The post office has a lot of history in the village,” he said. “People who have come into the shop have been very supportive.

“Many villagers did their upmost to keep the post office open.”

Gerry Chambers, chairman of Holcombe Residents' Association, was involved in the village campaign to keep their branch at Hollandia.

He questioned the criteria used by Post Office Ltd which would lead to closures.

He said: “On paper, our branch satisfied all the criteria needed to stay. That has been ignored. You could argue the whole consultation exercise was a sham.

“We have so much support: town, district and county councillors, MPs and prospective parliamentary MPs.

“How could all those people have been so wrong? It is terrible. I am gutted.”

Teignbridge Liberal Democrat MP Richard Younger-Ross said he was outraged no post office had been saved, calling it unjust and unfair.

He said: “The loss of this vital community service is devastating news for these small rural communities who fought long and inspired campaigns against the closures.

“Sadly, their efforts fell on deaf ears.

“Far too many post offices are closing. The Post Office said it would be 18 per cent but, in Devon, it is 22 per cent.

“I am very unhappy with this decision. The Post Office has not listened to the arguments put to them.

“There are more closures in Devon than any other part of the country.”