Changes to be made at OneStop Post Offices in Claydon, near Ipswich, and Lowestoft as staff face redundancy

Changes are set to be made at two Post Office branches in OneStop stores in Suffolk – with staff facing redundancy due to a loss of roles.

Claydon Post Office at the OneStop, in Ipswich Road, will see the postal services counter moved next to the shop’s till, while services at a Lowestoft branch will be reduced.

Last week, it was reported on social media that Claydon Post Office would shut.

A member of staff confirmed its three Post Office workers were being made redundant and that till staff would operate the new counter.

They said the community were very upset at the decision, with the store having provided postal services to the village for more than 20 years.

However, a spokesman for OneStop wished to allay customers’ concerns and confirmed it would remain open, although it would change from a ‘mains’ to ‘local’ service, meaning it will be moved alongside the till.

The firm hoped this would allow it to make better use of the space.

The spokesman said: “Our banking, billing, postal and travel services will remain. We have made these changes to ensure we are becoming more efficient due to evolving customer needs.

“Customers may also be pleased to hear that the opening hours of our Post Office services will extend significantly – the new hours will be Monday to Sunday 8am until 8pm once the conversion has completed next Spring.

“We know this will be very difficult for colleagues who are impacted, and our priority is to support them through this process. We hope that many will choose to stay with us in alternative roles that we are creating.”

OneStop said the new plans mean there is need for fewer members of staff, but said it would be creating alternative dual-training roles.

“We hope that those colleagues affected will choose to stay with us,” the spokesman said.

However, at its Lowestoft branch, in Carlton Road, its counter is due to be converted to offer parcel and bill payment services only.

This is due to a significant decrease in demand, the spokesman said.

He added: “Customers will still be able to pay their utility bills, rent or top up and more. This has been a difficult decision, however we believe that our customers’ needs will be met through the new offer. This will take place next year.”