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Takeover proposal for threatened post offices

Google The exterior of the Post Office in Teignmouth with two men standing talking in the bottom left-hand corner of the shotGoogle
The Post Office in Teignmouth could stay open under a new franchise

Post offices across Devon and Cornwall that had been earmarked for closure might now stay open following public campaigns to keep them.

The Post Office has announced a proposal to run the threatened sites in Liskeard, Newquay, Bideford, Paignton, Teignmouth and Mutley in Plymouth under a new franchise.

All of the sites are wholly-owned by the Post Office and on a list of 115 branches facing closure released in November.

The proposal is for the sites in Devon and Cornwall to be run under franchise by South Coast Retail based in Swanage, Dorset.

Post Office Liam Searle wearing a white shirt and standing in front of a Post OfficePost Office
Liam Searle is head of South Coast Retail which will be in charge of Post Office branches in Devon and Cornwall that were under threat

The Post Office said the head of South Coast Retail, Liam Searle, "operates successful branches in Dorchester, Sherborne, Swanage, and Weymouth, plus three outreach services for three communities in the Swanage area".

A Post Office spokesman said: "Our proposed franchise plans mean branches will continue to operate from the same premises while the long-term permanent proposal is confirmed, with customers being able to continue accessing the same products and services with the same opening hours."

Luke Pollard, Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said he had written to Post Office bosses in December urging them to keep the Mutley branch open.

In response to news of the branch being saved from closure he said: "Local people need access to a Post Office with the full range of services.

"There's been huge public for the Post Office to stay open - now let's use it so we can keep it open."

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