Two Sussex post offices are at risk of closure as part of a massive overhaul of how the company works.
Post Office announced today it wants to double the amount postmasters are paid over the next five years by increasing their share of revenue.
But the plans also involve selling more than 100 branches it owns directly – and if they’re not transferred to retail partners or postmasters, they could just close.
The two Sussex branches are Devonshire Square in Bexhill and Melville Road, in Hove.
Bexhill MP Kieran Mullan has already launched a petition in support of keeping the town’s post office open.
He said: “I know just how important the Bexhill Post Office is to the residents of Bexhill and surrounding rural areas.
“The loss of four major banks from our high streets has had a big impact on the town and residents were told that their day to day banking needs could be met by the Post Office.
“It is therefore vital that we do not lose this service or the highly experienced Post Office staff who understand and serve the community so well.”
Nigel Railton, chair of the Post Office, said: “The Post Office has a 360-year history of public service and today we want to secure that service for the future by learning from past mistakes and moving forward for the benefit of all postmasters.
“We can, and will, restore pride in working for a business with a legacy of service, rather than one of scandal.
“The value postmasters deliver in their communities must be reflected in their pockets, and this Transformation Plan provides a route to adding more than £250 million annually to total postmaster remuneration by 2030, subject to government funding.
“It begins a new phase of partnership during which we will strengthen the postmaster voice in the day-to-day running and operations of the business, so they are represented from the frontline to the boardroom.”
Edit: Branches in Burgess Hill and Lancing were incorrectly included in a list supplied to news organisations and are not at risk of closure.
