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Plans to franchise Bideford’s Crown Post Office may be in the pipeline—but one Westcountry MP is determined not to let key services get lost in the post.
Sir Geoffrey Cox KC, member of parliament for Torridge and Tavistock, has demanded urgent clarification from the Post Office on the future of Bideford ’s main branch after learning a decision could be made within weeks.
The branch is among the last of the UK’s directly managed ‘Crown’ Post Offices, which the Post Office has been seeking to franchise. That ambition could result in closures for branches unable to secure investment or a suitable partner.
Geoffrey said he had been monitoring the issue closely since reports emerged late last year that Bideford’s branch was at risk. He wrote directly to the chief executive of the Post Office to object to any reduction in the personal administrative services currently offered to residents in the town and surrounding areas.
“The Post Office undertook to keep me fully informed and allow for consultation prior to any decision to change the Crown Post Office’s status in Bideford,” Geoffrey said.
Although a final decision has not yet been made, he added that senior officials at the Post Office had assured him that services will not be reduced. Bideford would continue to offer the full range of services—including cash deposits, withdrawals and key government services such as passport applications—at any potential new or alternative main branch.
“I intend to hold the management of the Post Office to these assurances,” Geoffrey said.
He added that he remains in continuous contact with government ministers and senior officials and is continuing to press for the retention of Bideford’s Crown Post Office or, at the very least, for no diminution of services.
More information can be found at the MP’s official site: www.geoffreycox.co.uk and the Post Office at www.postoffice.co.uk.
