As a result of talks with elected representatives of the Lawrenny area, Post Office Ltd has announced additional service to the community. Following the resignation of the subpostmaster, Post Office Ltd proposed to introduce a HomeService operation, similar to that operated in the villages of Hundleton and Castlemartin, to the area. However, as reported in last week's Observer, residents were against the proposal and demonstrated with placards against the closure outside the post office last week. Tony Jones, network development manager, said: "The decision of the subpostmistress to resign was underpinned by the lack of support from the community to undertake their business with her. "Despite her considerable effort to develop the business, less that 20 customers use the branch every week, with only six of these on a regular basis. This is a fundamental issue. My original decision to propose a HomeService offer is one based on usage of the branch and in my view this type of service best reflects the most effective method of delivering products and services for this level of demand." "However, over the past weeks, I have received letters from, and held discussions with, many of the elected representatives of the area, including the Member of Parliament, the constituency Assembly Member and the chairman of Postwatch, Wales. During these meetings, I had full and frank discussions about the provision of Post Office services to Lawrenny. As a result, I have agreed to undertake a review of my initial proposals." That review has now been completed and Post Office Ltd is proposing that in addition to the HomeService, a further static service be provided from the present location for a period of two hours between 2.45 and 4.45 pm every Tuesday. This commenced this week and the same products and services will continue to be available. "This additional offer is an opportunity for the community to demonstrate their support going forward. The volume of business and reception that the subpostmaster from Pembroke receives from the social and business communities will be monitored and reviewed on an ongoing basis," continued Mr. Jones." Following the meeting on Friday, Christine Gwyther AM, said: "Nick Ainger MP and I arranged a meeting with Post Office managers this morning to discuss potential ways forward. Two residents from the village - Keith Williams and David Lort-Phillips - were also at the first part of the meeting. "The Post Office agreed that equipment be left in situ at the present Post Office, while options were considered for a longer term solution. During further discussions with Nick and I, an even better solution was hammered out. "As well as the HomeService (where a subpostmaster in a van calls upon residents if they have rung him with specific requests) which had been promised for Lawrenny on a once a week basis during lunchtime on Wednesdays, Post Office managers have now agreed to open the post office in Lawrenny for a late afternoon session (2.45 to 4.45 pm) on a Tuesday as well. "This provides a service for two days a week. It will also, I hope, catch the business customers which the post office in Lawrenny needs to improve and extend its customer base. I am absolutely delighted that the Post Office managers have come up with this imaginative proposal. It is now up to residents of Lawrenny and the surrounding area to use their post office facility more than they have done, to protect it and, I hope, extend it. Post Office managers have told us that if usage of the post office in Lawrenny goes up, then the hours will be extended to meet demand. This could be the start of a real renewal for services in Lawrenny, with the potential for a village shop to complement the post office service!"
