LOCAL BUSINESSES TO BE HIT BY POST OFFICE CHANGES

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 23rd Apr 2004

Local MP Sue Doughty has been approached by local businesses ahead of the closure of Guildford Mail Centre planned for the autumn.

They are worried that the current counter which is kept open until 7.30 in the evening so that they can take the day's mail, awkward parcels and bulky envelopes will close too. Sue Doughty has contacted the Mail Centre and complained on their behalf.

She said:

"These changes will particularly hit small businesses who call in at the end of the day with their business post. When the counter closes they will have to go to the main post office in town if they need post weighed or to get special stamps for non standard items. They are already receiving their post later in the day and for many it is a real struggle to get the correspondence responded to promptly. The extra time at the end of the day means a lot to them. These changes will not help."