Farewell to customers as post office closes (From Gazette Series)

Farewell to customers as post office closes

3:12pm Monday 9th June 2008 in News By Liza-Jane Gillespie

STAFF at a Dursley post office branch said a sad farewell to their loyal customers today.

The Highfields post office branch closed its blinds for the last time.

Christine Wetton, 62, of Dursley, had been the manager of the branch for 10 years.

Mrs Wetton is now retiring after being made redundant by the Post Office and said that Monday was an emotional day.

She said: "We are really sad to close, not just for ourselves but for all the customers that have supported us so loyally over the years.

"We were a busy post office. We are not closing because we didn't do enough business but because we are too close to the Dursley branch.

"The closure is going to inconvenience a lot of our customers, as it is a long way to walk for the elderly members of the community.

"Despite the best efforts of our local MP, who voted against his own party, and our town council we have had to close and it is very upsetting and frustrating."

The Highfields closure comes as part of a national overhaul of the Post Office service. The Post Office announced last year that 2,500 branches across the country would have to close.

Mrs Wetton, who is one of three members of staff being made redundant because of the Highfields closure, said the loyalty of customers had made the last few weeks easier to bear.

"We just want to thank everyone for their support. All of our customers have been so kind in their remarks since the decision was announced. We only hope they have been happy with our service over the years," she said.

Residents in Dursley must now use the post office branch in Silver Street.