Tenby’s Postmasters are working on how they can secure a long term sustainable future for the resort’s Post Office which they see as a key and integral part of a vibrant successful town.

Vince Malone who along with his wife Fiona has run the Tenby Stores and Post Office for the past five years on Warren Street, says that much has been reported in the national media recently highlighting that many Post Offices are closing or are at risk of closure at a time when there is ? greater reliance on their services within the local community, he wanted to assure the community that they have no plans to leave Tenby, although they are exploring the potential of new premises within the town, in light of the Royal Mail’s relocation of their delivery operations at Tenby to their new purpose-built unit in Narberth earlier this year.

Vince has encouraged members of the public to write to MP Kelly Tolhurst - Parliament’s minister for ‘small business, consumers and corporate responsibility’ urging for a review into low pay for post office staff to be carried out to ensure the future of such facilities in the community.

“The Post Office with its current remuneration structure is not a sustainable business model as a stand-alone unit which has led to the current situation of Post Office closures around the country. Most of our basic Post Office transactions do not generate sufficient income to even cover paying minimum wage,” said Vince.

Tenby Stores and Post Office last year made it through to the finals of the Independent Achievers Academy (IAA awards) picking up nominations in two categories - Marketing to Customers and Staff Development.

Being a Postmaster and retailer in a tourist town Postmaster Vince said he’s had to market his store differently and one popular service was to deliver groceries to tourists staying at the holiday parks, local B and Bs and day trippers to the beach as well as his regular customers.

“Here in Tenby we have seen our Post Office serve a rising number of people with the development of our banking facilities along with the extended opening hours we operate to meet the ever-increasing needs of the local residents, businesses and not forgetting a large number of tourists,” he continued.

“People who live in Tenby, where three bank branches have closed in recent years, know that they can get cash withdrawals at the Post Office, and we offer banking services on behalf of all the major banks, but many tourists don’t know.

“There is also a real need for cash in the town as tourists want to buy ice creams and drinks and quite a few of the restaurants only accept cash.

“As a Post Office we have worked really hard to develop our offer and the provision of services such as Homephone and Broadband, car, life and travel insurance and our extended range of travel money we now have in stock, does not only offer great value products but is also a much needed boost to the business.

“Moving forward we are working on how we can secure a long term sustainable future for the Post Office in Tenby which we see as a key and integral part of a vibrant successful town and a large contribution to that will be a successful retail offer.

“We are fully aware that we need to offer the best products and services along with a great shopping experience to survive and we are striving to develop a Post Office in Tenby that we can all be proud of.

“Our shop offers great value with some of the best deals in town with a team of dedicated colleagues who try to go that extra mile to fulfil your Post Office and shopping needs along with our very popular free home delivery service

“We are asking for your extended support which will go a long way to sustain the services we have to offer,” added Vince.