RESIDENTS in Maesteg have been in touch with their fears about the future of the main post office in the town centre.
I have challenged the Post Office about their plans for this branch and they have informed me that the current arrangements, with the post office located in a unit in the outdoor market, were only ever intended to be temporary. They are now seeking applications from new or existing retailers in the area to operate the post office. The current temporary postmaster is also welcome to apply for a permanent contract.
This application is on the Post Office website and I would urge anyone interested to come forward with a view to taking over this crucial service.
I have made it clear to the Post Office that it is inconceivable that Maesteg town centre should be left without a post office. The original post office building was provided in the 1930’s and this was only vacated during Covid when the then postmaster decided to give up the contract but remained the leaseholder of the building which had been sold off to private investors some time before.
The new temporary postmaster was unwilling to sign a new lease with the result that the post office had to move out of the building in Talbot Street which is now in a deplorable condition. Instead, they were allocated a unit at the outdoor market by BCBC.
I have no strong views about where the post office should be located. As far as I can see, the temporary location in the market has many advantages – not least that it lies within feet of the bus station so is very easily accessible. Although not ideal, it is a stand-alone post office and is not relegated to the back of an existing retailer as has happened in other places.
Although there is only one service point at present, because of the Covid restrictions when it was set up, there is room for at least two which would deal with the question of queuing as there is only one staff member on duty at a time. But the two ladies who alternate there provide an excellent service and their work is deeply appreciated by users.
I see that the Post Office is considering offering help to make the branch financially sustainable and they say that supporting postmasters is a priority. Time will tell whether this is correct particularly in the light of the abominable way they dealt with their sub postmasters in the past – as the current public inquiry is relentlessly highlighting. The Post Office has a lot of work to do to rebuild its damaged reputation and ensuring the survival of Maesteg’s main post office would help restore its image locally.
