Clifton Street Post OfficeIt was meant to be their own choice. But one post office owner is now saying they have been pressured into closing up their shop. Kevin Shoesmith reports.

THE owner of a post office claims they are being bullied into cutting an essential lifeline for scores of vulnerable pensioners.

The owner, who has asked not to be identified, said Post Office Ltd, which runs the UK's 16,000 branches, has pressured them into putting pen to paper allegations strongly denied by top bosses.

On Thursday the Evening Advertiser revealed how three Swindon branches are among 2,500 facing the chop across the country.

They are Clifton Street, Ferndale Road and Oxford Road.

The shutters could come down on all three in November if the community fails to persuade the Post Office that they are making a mistake.

The branch manager said: "I was pushed into this. I really do not want to leave.

"The Post Office has not given me an option. They told me that it was not worthwhile to stay open and they said it was in my best interest to go.

"This branch is very important to the local community.

"Some of my customers can barely walk.

"We have been here for a number of years and I know the community very well.

"I always chat and ask after our customers when they come in particularly the older ones. It's a good point of contact and we get to know if they are ill."

Spokesman, Richard Hall, said branches have been given ample opportunity to back out of the closure deal equivalent to 28 months pay.

He stressed representatives have been out on two occasions once in summer 2002 and again last year to ensure postmasters and mistresses know where they stand.

"We are not trying to force anybody out of the network although we are trying to do what is right for that network," said Mr Hall.

"And although we prefer our postmasters not to talk to the press we have not imposed a gagging order.

"If this postmaster feels they are being pressured I would ask them to contact either the union or us."

The Post Office has given customers a deadline of September 27 to voice their concerns before a final decision is made.

Mr Hall offered the following glimmer of hope to customers: "There have been a number of instances where we have changed our plans and kept branches open.

"People need to demonstrate that they will have difficulty accessing another branch."

Kevin Shoesmith