Snail Mail Thoughts and Infrastructure

If you live in Liskeard you will, no doubt, have heard that the Crown Post Office on the Parade along with Newquay is named as one of those at risk of closure. I find it odd considering how busy it normally is, outside of Christmas parcel posting frenzy that is about to occur.

Shockingly many of us learned about this proposed list of closures on the 14th November via media online, including our County Councillors Nick Craker and Jane Pascoe, who wrote immediately seeking answers. To date there has been no real discourse on the idea and a vague response from PO HQ which blustered and obfuscated a lot.

It seems that MP Anna Gelderd had prior information, as she wrote to Gareth Thomas MP, Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports at the beginning of September. His tardy response dated the 5th November was neither reassuring or particularly helpful. Perhaps a spectre of what is to come with the 'promised' government funding and predictions...

The population of Liskeard is currently around 10,900 looking at the 2021 census. The town has a housing 'target' of 1,400 new homes to be built by 2030, meaning the it's population is projected to grow to 12,000 by 2031. 

Of those currently living in the town 22% are over 65, many are vulnerable to online fraud, they've had their winter fuel payments removed and, not satisfied with pensions being awarded later and later, our pensioners are also being punished for planning ahead with the Tax Threshold. For many the Crown Branch offers invaluable access to pay-in and draw out cash, to pay bills and top-up credit, and the reassurance that it is completed there face to face.

As the relentless de-banking of the high streets continues in a push to GO DIGITAL, a huge percentage of the town and local area use the PO for money services, the potential closure becomes even more dire when you consider that Lloyds will be soon closing its doors in Februay 2025, leaving the town with only Santander and the Natwest Mobile Branch (in the Cattle Market car park) for 1 1/2 hours a week. As the promised banking hubs have seemingly been forgotten as soon as the main branches have closed it highlights a service that many in and aroung the area rely on. I feel that a community without access to their money is a huge problem for everyone whether they know it yet or not.

The Post Office provides a hub of utilities, from license applications and car tax to Identification and Verification services, or mail drop offs, a service which many small business owners use, all of which is at risk, along with the staffs employment.

Post Office Chairman Nigel Railton outlined a "new deal for postmasters" which aims to increase their revenue share and give them more influence in business decisions.These changes hinge on government funding and could result in branch pay doubling by 2030. Though how can we trust anything this government has said looking at their current record? So what appears to be an internal Post Office decision seems rather influenced by the powers .that be...

It begs worrying questions about many things, not least a town who's infrastructure, which has been neglected for a very long time, is already groaning under massive pressure.