I've lost half my trade, says sub postmaster

Mr Walia's post office branch is another victim of the government's drive to pay all benefits directly into bank accounts.

He says since that policy was introduced in April he's lost 50-60 per cent of his trade and now the business is untenable.

The Observer reported last week how the post office in Haslam Crescent has been earmarked for closure on January 4.

The Post office is carrying out a six-week public consultation exercise but Mr Walia (pictured) says only a change in government policy could save the branch.

The Post Office says since the change there are too many branches competing for too little business and many will have to close, forcing residents to travel long distances to the nearest one.

Mr Walia, who has been at the branch for 14 years, says his business has been on the decline for a long time but the direct-payments initiative has been the final nail in the coffin.

The shop used to be a supermarket but that side of the business was wound-down last year because it was not making a profit.

He said: "Of course it is sad for my customers and sad for me but what can I do? I can't carry on like this.

I get paid according to how much business I do and I assure you that's not very much these days."

Now, after 23 years as a sub-postmaster, Mr Walia faces an uncertain future and will have to find a new job.

The Post Office did introduce a new card system allowing customers to still draw their money from the post office when the changes were introduced.

But Mr Walia says very few of his customers have taken it up.

He added: "The truth is the government doesn't really want the Post Officer card system.

"Some of my customers have said they have tried to obtain them and met with objections and questions like 'why, haven't you got a bank account?'

"It seems they are not allowing child benefits to be paid in that way either."

He said his customers understand his reasons for closing despite their disappointment, adding: "They have been very sympathetic and supportive. I tell them if I don't do it now it will only happen six or eight months down the line when I have gone bust."