KPC contacted the Post Office on several occasions regarding the closure of the Kirtlington branch to ask why the Parish Council and village customers were not consulted and to enquire why the replacement travelling Post Office, which had been promised previously, has not been provided. Below is the response we received on 7th August 2024.
Dear Ms Broughton
Kirtlington Post Office
Troy Lane, Kidlington, OX5 3HA
Thank you for your emails dated 7 June and 17 July 2024, on behalf of Kirtlington Parish Council, regarding the closure of the above Post Office which took place on Tuesday 18 June 2024.
We note with concern that you did not receive a response to your first email and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of this lapse in communication.
Your concerns regarding the closure of Kirtlington Post Office have been noted and I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that we are fully aware of how important the Post Office is for our customers in your local community. However, as you may know Kirtlington Post Office was operated on our behalf on an agency basis, rather like a franchise, and regrettably, as the Postmaster resigned and the premises were withdrawn, the branch closed in June 2024.
I would like to explain that Post Office is facing a particularly challenging period, as are other high street retailers. The impact of rising costs and inflation mean that Post Office must ensure its limited resources benefit the most customers across the country, and that the network remains sustainable. As such the Post Office has undertaken a comprehensive review of the network to ensure that it continues to meet evolving customer needs in this very challenging economic climate. This review examined the network at a very detailed, local level, analysing customer demand and accessibility of Post Office products and services. Consequently, it has informed our plans for the Network as we work to ensure that, our funding and resources are allocated to deliver maximum benefit for all customers.
Unfortunately, local demand in the area of Kirtlington Post Office currently is not at a level that can sustain a full service branch and we will therefore not be replacing this branch, at this time. There is an alternative Post Office at Weston on the Green that has capacity to serve additional customers.
May I also take the opportunity to explain that Kirtlington was not a Consultation but a Notification to communicate the unplanned closure of the branch. Consultations seek local feedback, including from Parish Councils, on access to, into and inside a change in premises, however a Notification does not seek such feedback.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused to customers. Post Office will, as a matter of course, continue to review customer demand in the Kidlington area should it change and require additional Post Office provision in the future.
We appreciate your interest and thank you for taking the time to contact us.
Yours sincerely
Carol Holas
Consultation Team Support
National Consultation Team
How to contact us:
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