FIVE post offices in and around Swindon could shut in a new round of closures sweeping the country.

The Post Office has begun a six-week consultation into its plans to close 36 out of 234 branches in Wiltshire and West Berkshire.

But bosses say nearly everyone will still live within a mile of a post office.

The proposals include the introduction of 11 outreach services to help smaller communities left without a post office. This could mean a mobile service visiting at set times or a service set up within the local pub or church.

The Government has carried out a three-month national consultation before deciding to close 2,500 of the 14,000 post offices nationally.

Tim Nickolls, Post Office Ltd's network development manager for West Berkshire and Wiltshire said: "Taking the decision to close any post office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers.

"We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on or has any concern with post office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes, and able to give views on them."

Branches in the Swindon area facing the axe:


  • Cheney Manor Road, 84 Cheney Manor Road, Swindon
  • Lawn, 44 Guildford Avenue, Swindon
  • Westcott Place, 175 Faringdon Road, Westcott Place, Swindon
  • Lydiard Millicent, Toomers Garden Centre, Stone Lane, Lydiard Millicent
  • Prospect, 17 Lypiatt Road, Prospect, Corsham

For a detailed copy of the proposals, visit www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange .


To express your views, email consultation@postoffice.co.uk or call the Customer Helpline: 08457 22 33 44

  • For the full report and reaction, see Wednesday's Adver.