Archived News - Post Office
Reconsideration of Post Office closure?
The fate of Eaton Bray post office now seems sealed, after the Post Office's decision to axe it as part of a nationwide cull.
Closure of Eaton Bray post office is expected in late October, although the Village Store which houses the post office will remain open as usual.
Following Wednesday's announcement that Eaton Bray Post Office, along with 63 others in the region were set to close, South West Beds MP Andrew Selous said: "It is a sad day for Dunstable. People will have to travel further, it is going to cost them more money to get to a Post Office, in bus fares and so on, and it is going to take them longer. The effect on small businesses is also going to be quite marked."
Now South Beds District Council is calling for the "highly regrettable" closures in the Dunstable area to be reconsidered. Councillor Philip Penman from the district council said that, although they recognised that people had had a chance to voice their views, "we call on Post Office Limited, even at this late stage, to consider the effect these closures will have, and think again."
For the latest news from Eaton Bray and beyond, get the Dunstable Gazette every Wednesday and make a daily date with Dunstable Today.
Source: Dunstable Today
Eaton Bray Post Office decision
Post Office Ltd today announced its decisions on the future of Post Office branches in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and South Lincolnshire.
The plan confirmed today (Wednesday 17 September 2008) means that 64 branches will close in the Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and South Lincolnshire, including 11 in the Luton and Dunstable area, with all changes expected to take place by the end of 2008. These branches were detailed in the Area Plan proposal published in July 2008.
Eaton Bray Post Office is one of the 64 branches that will close.
Full details of the decisions and the issues raised during local public consultation are available by visiting www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or by writing to Post Office Ltd at Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp needed) or by emailing [email protected]
Source: Royal Mail press release
Post Office Closure Threat
Post Office Ltd today announced the proposed closure of 19 of the 88[1] existing post offices in Bedfordshire, with Eaton Bray post office among those threatened.
Now begins a six week local public consultation on the Area Plan; this will include three public meetings to be held over the next month, where residents will be able to hear from Post Office bosses. These meetings include:
- Wednesday, July 23 (12.30-2.00pm) at Vandyke School Theatre in Leighton Buzzard, and
- Thursday, 7 August (5.30-7.30pm) at South Bedfordshire District Council offices, High Street North, Dunstable.
Mid Beds District Council, said: "This is a significant issue of considerable concern for our communities. Those most badly affected will be the most vulnerable members of these communities - the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged.
"It is important that people send individual letters giving their reasons for opposing the specific closure of particular post offices. These have had a much greater impact than general petitions. So getting as many people as possible to write in defence of their post offices is vital.
"I am sure that many parish and town councils will want to make a formal representation against the closures. Other organisations and businesses in the affected areas should contact their local town or parish council and work with them to make a combined, formal representation, as well as encouraging individuals to write in".
Edlesborough Post Office is not marked for closure, and can be found under Post Offices "proposed to remain in the Network" in the Dunstable area.
To obtain a copy of the detailed Area Plan proposal for Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and South Lincolnshire, visit www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or write to Post Office Ltd at Freepost Consultation (no stamp required) or email [email protected] . Consultation is due to end on August 26 2008.
[1] www.yell.com/super/post+offices/bedfordshire
That ant a bad idea...
Fanciful reports of wild beasts stalking villages (allegedly) tend to surface during the quiet summer months.
But a giant ant really did invade Eaton Bray the other week.
And as you can see on this page, we even snapped a picture of it.
Don't worry - it was only the Post Office's Giant Ant costumed character.
It dropped in at Eaton Bray Post Office, in the High Street, to launch a new service.
What was it all about? Well, the village post office is now making it easier for people to pick up their holiday cash, by offering on-demand currency services.
The Post Office says that people can now walk in off the street and pick up their euros, with no fuss, no hassle and no wait.
Sounds like a great way to pick up your holiday spends without getting ant-agonised...
Source: Gazette Gossip, Anne O'Donoghue, Dunstable Gazette, 23 May 2007
Eaton Bray Post Office and Village Stores
We would like to thank everyone for their continued support in 2006 and wish everyone a happy and peaceful 2007.
Just a reminder of things that are available at the post office counter:-
For people who have moved in recently we are a car tax office. Leaflets about car insurance are available on the counter. There is also a £5 Post office stamp which is great help to save towards car tax.
Bureau de Change
We can supply a wide range of currencies; when ordered before 2pm, they are in the office the next day by 11.30am. These are commission free. From early Spring we will be an on demand office for Euros.
Banking at the Post Office
Cash can be drawn with a cash card; cash and cheques can be deposited all free of charge. The following bank accounts can use this facility:- Abbey Basic, Nationwide Flex Account, Barclays Current, Co-op, Smile, Cahoot, Lloyds TSB, Alliance and Leicester, Clydesdale and Bank of Ireland. Special envelopes are available for depositing cheques.
Gift Vouchers
Gift vouchers are available to buy. A list of shops etc. where they can be exchanged is on the counter.
Postal Orders
Postal Orders are now printed at the counter and are available from 50p to £250 plus fee. They can be crossed to be equivalent to a cheque. A safe way to send money with no bank details.
Bill Payment
Most household bills can be paid with us. Council rent plus Council tax, phone bills including BT, gas, electric, water and home shopping. The £5 saving stamp can also be used to save for these bills.
We also have a wide range of beautiful birthday cards etc. and don't forget the very good special offers in the shop!
Source: Focus, February 2007