Pebsham set to lose its post office

The Haslam Crescent branch has been chosen from 29 post offices across Bexhill and Battle and if it closes, will provide other post offices with a viable future, according to Post Office Ltd.

The decision comes just seven months after sub-postmaster Harjit Walia of the Haslam Crescent store won an Innovation Award for Post Office Excellence after being nominated by his customers.

If it closes it will be the second sub-post office lost in Bexhill this year following the closure of Old Town branch in August.

The Haslam Crescent branch used to be a small supermarket but now the shelves are bare, leaving only the post office counter.

Clive Sealy, of Laburnham Gardens, is a loyal customer and intends to write a letter opposing the closure.

"I have just been down to the post office to get my pension and I picked up a leaflet which says they are proposing to close it on January 4. I think it is going to cause quite a lot of dissent." he said.

Mr Sealy had just applied for a post office account which would enable him to continue picking up his pension instead of joining the new scheme and having it paid directly into his bank account.

Following the closure of the Old Town Post Office in August, Mr Sealy has made an effort to support his own local office.

"I think it is a disgrace the way this is going.

"I think a lot of people would have done what I did and opened an account to support the post office."

The nearest alternatives are Devonshire Square, London Road and Sidley - a bus, car or taxi ride for most Haslam Crescent customers.

Jimmy Burke, of Seabourne Road, said to walk would be a danger for post office customers.

"To get there on foot you would have to cross the busy A259 for two of the three post offices they suggest.

"I think it is diabolical. The parking they suggest using in Devonshire Square isn't even there anymore."

Post Office Ltd area officer Drew McBride said: "No change is not an option for Post Office Ltd which is losing increasing amounts of money - 194 million last year alone '“ nor is it an option for subpostmasters whose branches are simply taking too little to pay their way.

"Not long ago this led to a spate of uncontrolled closures, with subpostmasters believing they had no choice but to leave. By managing closures through this programme we will have fewer branches but these will be viable and have a future.

"All our substantial research, and discussions with subpostmasters, in developing our proposals demonstrate that the number that will be left in Bexhill and Battle is the maximum that levels of business locally will sustain.

He added: "Of course we realise that losing the neighbourhood office on the doorstep will be an inconvenience for customers whose branch closes, but this is not an issue on which Post Office Ltd can stand still. At the end of the day, this is about creating a viable network in urban areas '“ one on which we can work with subpostmasters to sustain into the future."

The postmaster, Harjit Walia, could not talk to the Observer before our deadline but has agreed to an interview for next week's paper.

Sidley, Devonshire Square and London Road post office branches had their futures secured with match funding from the Post Office for improvements including low level counters and replacement floor coverings.

The company now enters a six-week consultation period which will end on November 18.

Comments on the proposal can be sent to the National Consultation Team, PO Box 2060, Watford, WD18 8ZW.