New postmaster at Caernarfon post office for the ‘near-term'

North Wales Chronicle

2 days ago

The post office is to be operated by franchisee RF Retail, under postmaster Richard Fleetwood who has more than 20 years' experience in retail and the Post Office, and whose father and grandfather were also both postmasters.
An email from the Post Office, shown to the Chronicle, read that this arrangement will take place 'in the near term' until the branch's long-term future is secured.
The email added: 'Franchising the branch now will enable us to unlock funds to increase postmaster remuneration sooner, while minimizing disruption for the local community.
'In practice, this means that the branch will continue to operate from the same premises while the long-term permanent proposal is confirmed, with customers being able to access the same products and services with the same opening hours.
'In parallel, we will work with RF Retail over the remainder of this financial year to review the right long-term premises for your branch, which will either be at the existing site or a new site nearby.
'In the event of a new site being proposed, any move to a new location is unlikely to be before spring 2026 and would be subject to local public consultation in line with our Principles of Community Engagement.'
Mr Fleetwood operates six Post Office branches, while his mother also had several senior roles managing sites across the UK.
RF Retail's Post Office journey began when it opened its first store in the north-east of England in September 2020, meanwhile.
Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, said: 'I welcome the news that a prospective franchisee has come forward with the intention of running Caernarfon Post Office, providing a short-term solution to the uncertainty facing the branch.
'It should be appreciated that throughout this campaign, local people wanted to see Post Office services safeguarded in Caernarfon town centre.
'They place an immense value on the convenience of being able to pop into their local branch whether for their business or personal needs.
'Whilst this announcement provides a certain level of certainty, there remains a number of questions surrounding the long-term sustainability of the branch.
'Has there been any assessment of the specific banking needs of the local community, specifically, what provision will be in place to meet the needs of Welsh-language customers?
'What options are being explored to source a long-term location for the branch, including access needs?
'Above all else, what assurances have been provided to current staff about their future employment?
'If, as has been suggested, the branch will temporarily remain at the current location, will staff be retained?
'I will be seeking further clarity about the exact business model going forward to ensure a sustainable, long-term outcome for the local community – one which puts the needs of local Post Office customers first.''