Dismay as postmaster closes branch within two years of reopening

A PERTH postmaster has announced plans to close his Post Office branch less than two years after it opened.

Ian Morgan says he has reached “the end of the road” and expects the Bridgend branch to close in early April.

Mr Morgan blames the move on the branch experiencing “far less footfall than expected”.

And he says the fact the Post Office mobile van services nearby Scone twice a week is a major factor.

He has also cited a “total debacle” over attempts to provide DVLA forms at the branch.

The Post Office says it does not believe the issues have significantly hit the Bridgend branch but will continue talks with the postmaster.

The decision comes hard on the heels of post office closures in Stanley and Luncarty and the local community says it is devastated.

Meanwhile, Mr Morgan stressed that while his post office service is closing, the News Direct store, from which the post office operates, will remain open.

In a letter to the Post Office, Mr Morgan said: “We are a fully functioning post office (plus) and having had to fight (successfully) for the ability to provide DVLA services to the area, we find ourselves still low on sessions and experiencing far less footfall than we expected.

“Why? Well, we did fairly extensive research into why this should be and have come up with what we think is perhaps not the only reason but certainly a major factor.

“The mobile van is still servicing Scone twice per week.

“I knew the mobile van was temporary as was confirmed to me by a Post Office official last week, but it was my understanding that temporary meant until Bridgend got established.

A spokesperson for the Post Office said: “Bridgend post office in Perth is open as normal.

“Since opening in September 2020, there has been a steady increase in people using this branch.”

Ian Morgan, Linda McDonald, Edna McIntyre and Fiona Bain at the reopening of Bridgend Post Office.