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Hemel post offices get the axe
Two post offices in Hemel Hempstead will close by the end of the year, it has been announced.
The branches to be axed are based at the Co-op store in The Heights, Highfield and High Street in the old town.
It follows a public consultation on the cutbacks which were met with opposition.
Councillor for Highfield Lloyd Harris, who collected more than 500 signatures in support of Co-op branch, said: "It just shows that all the post ofice is interested in is money rather than providing a service."
The branch employs two post office staff.
A manager for the food company, who does not want to be named, said: "The Co-op will do everything in its power to keep the staff in some capacity."
Meanwhile, at the High Street post office and shop called Queensway, Surekha Patel, who runs the branch said there are fears the closure could hit shop trade.
The decision, which includes the closure of branches in Potten End, near Berkhamsted and Wilstone and Long Marston, both near Tring, has been met with disappointment by Andrew Williams, leader of Dacorum Borough Council.
He criticised the plans saying it fails to take account of the future demand on the Post Office network in Dacorum with thousands more homes expected to be built.
The borough council will close its cash offices this autumn and transfer services such as paying council tax and rents to post offices in the area, which will increase demand.
Cllr Williams said: "The decision will hit hardest residents without their own transport and those with disabilities who will find it difficult to access alternative provision."
The borough was stripped of another eight post offices in 2004, based in Hemel Hempstead, Kings Langley, Berkhamsted and Tring.
This year Hemel Hempstead's main post office in Marlowes closed and a smaller branch opened on the first floor of nearby WHSmith.
Under the latest review 37 branches across South Herts, Bucks and South Essex will close.
Post Office network development manager for the area, Gary Herbert, said: "These are difficult decisions which have not been taken lightly. We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation."
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -8 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
