BANBURY’S dedicated town centre Post Office could close in what has been called “devastating” news for customers.

The office in High Street is one of 39 around the country that have been put forward to be franchised by Post Office Ltd.

This could mean the office may be moved inside a local shop – such as a supermarket – or merged with another post office branch outside the town centre. The nearest is in Grimsbury.

The plans have been criticised by the Communication Workers Union, which represents post office workers.

Area representative Sue Trehearne said: “This news is unsettling for our members. The office will probably end up in the back of someone’s shop so customers can’t get through without being bombarded by other products, or it will be upstairs causing problems for disabled people.”

“For now the staff have been left in limbo and are obviously very upset.”

The nine staff working at the Banbury office were told the news by a Post Office official at talks at the office on January 19.

Possible franchisees have until February 16 to bid for the branch.

Banbury MP Victoria Prentis called for possible franchisees to come forward and take on the running of the post office.

She said: “I am in regular contact with Post Office Ltd and use this post office myself from time to time.

“I hope the search for a franchisee is successful as I know this post office is very well used.

“Banbury’s post office provides a great variety of support to those who live in the town and surrounding villages.”

If a bid is made, a six-week public consultation will follow, where customers can have their say on what services they want.

But if a bidder does not come forward, the Post Office has said it would look at alternative means of providing post office services, including mergers.

The CWU says a further 40 to 50 offices are earmarked for closure, which could affect 600 jobs.

CWU assistant secretary Andy Furey said: “This is devastating news for our members. It is death by a thousand cuts.”

Post Office spokeswoman Melanie Corfield said there are successful franchise branches in the network and that finding a franchisee for Banbury was the preferred option.

She stressed there are no plans to close the service and that services will still be available to customers in some form.