Good news for rural post offices, says CLA

The CLA today (Thursday, 13 November) welcomes the news that 3,000 post offices could be saved after the Work and Pensions Secretary said the Post Office would keep its £1billion contract which had faced competition from a private firm.

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: "At a time when the Governor of the Bank of England is predicting a recession in the country, this is great news for rural post offices and rural communities.

"The CLA believes that the local post office is at the heart of the rural community. We also believe that the Post Office can in fact attract more business by being the rural one-stop shop. It is gratifying to see the Government's recognition of the importance of the post office network. We sincerely hope that this is a message that the post office network is safe and that the anxiety many sub-postmasters and postmistresses have had will be alleviated."

The CLA President added: "What is still required, however, are government assurances that post offices will be able to take on more public sector work in the future which will guarantee their economic viability."

CLA MEDIA CONTACTS:

For further information and interviews:

Oliver Wilson, Director of Communications, 020 7460 7936 or 07702 928828, ollie.wilson@cla.org.uk,

Phillippa Coates, Press Officer, 020 7460 7934, phillippa.coates@cla.org.uk

Out of hours duty phone: 020 7201 9511.

Dr Charles Trotman – Head of Rural Business Development

An economist, advises on rural economic issues, particularly food policy, rural tourism, equine issues and telecommunications policy.

Phone: 020 7460 7939
FAX: 020 7235 4696
Email charles.trotman@cla.org.uk