RESIDENTS of Trowbridge have until March 6 to voice their views on the proposed closure of the town’s main Post Office.

The consultation period runs out next month and a final decision by June will be made by Post Office bosses. A Post Office spokeswoman said: “We will be making a final decision when the consultation period closes.”

The company is proposing to move the Trowbridge Post Office to WHSmith at 43-44 Fore Street, just around the corner from its existing Roundstone Street location. Nine staff would be affected.

If the move goes ahead, the branch will be run by WHSmith High Street Ltd, which will mean its services will be available during the shop’s opening hours which include Saturday afternoons and Sundays. The Post Office said: “This move is part of the continuing modernisation of our branch network.”

“We believe the most effective way to secure the long term viability of Post Office services in Trowbridge is through a carefully selected retail partner, and we are confident that our proposal is the best way of safeguarding services for the community for years to come.

“The vast majority of our 11,500 Post Office branches, large and small, are successfully operated in this way with retail partners and we believe this is the best approach to keeping Post Offices in main shopping locations and at the heart of communities where they play an important role in local economies.”

Alan Cooper, of Broadcloth Lane, Trowbridge, said: “Personally, while I usually use a sub-post office there are certain facilities they cannot provide.

“For example, they will not take large parcels. Trying to carry large parcels up Fore Street and through the cramped WH Smith will be difficult.

“Security is not so good in these open plan POs with post in open bags and parcels and packets on the floor; important when posting valuable items.

“For some other services the public will have to go to the Post Office in Melksham, until that closes.”

The Communication Workers Union, whose local branch secretary Rob Wotherspoon says staff could lose their jobs or be forced to accept lower paid jobs at WHSmith.

The closure is part of plans by the Post Office to shut 74 branches, including 40 Crown Post Offices, in large towns and cities and franchise out their operations to WHSmith.

Up to 33 branches which are already located in WHSmith stores, but operated directly by Post Office staff, will also be transferred to the high street retailer, as part of the plans.