Vital rural service lost as sub-post office closes (From Western Telegraph)

Vital rural service lost as sub-post office closes

An award-winning rural shopkeeper is angry that he has been forced to close his sub-post office.

Dewi Bowen and his wife Eirian have run their Londis store at Glandy Cross, Efailwen, for 32 years.

They were approached by Post Office Network two years ago and asked to operate a sub-post office at the store.

But at the end of last year they were given three months notice of termination of their contract.

We didnt want to close the sub-post office but we were forced to do so, said Mr Bowen.

We were asked to take it on because no one else in the area wanted to do so.

Although we will still be able to take electricity and water payments and sell stamps, the closure means that pensioners have to go to Llandissilio to collect their pensions. They are very angry about this, he added. It also means some loss of business for us, as people usually buy something when they come to the post office.

The Glandy Cross store has won two awards. It was chosen as runner-up for the best shop in the country last year. And tomorrow (Thursday) Mr Bowen and his wife will be in London to receive the award for the best off-licence.

The closure of the sub-post office means that another service to the rural community has been lost, said Mr Bowen.