CAMPAIGNERS have been left disappointed after a decision was made to close a post office and transfer services to a convenience store.

Despite a public meeting at the North Wales Bowls Centre which attracted 200 residents, the Post Office confirmed they will go ahead with plans to move the Ffrith Post Office, on Victoria Road West in Prestatyn, to Willow Stores ltd - 200 metres away.

The branch will operate as a "new, local style" post office and services will be offered from from two tills.

In a letter sent to Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane, shown to the Journal, the Post Office said: "We received 281 individual responses and a petition from customers and local representatives during the local public consultation period.

"Post Office Ltd representatives also attended a public meeting organised to discuss the proposed move in more detail.

"In the main, feedback commented on the availability of parking at the new location and questioned whether there would be enough space within the proposed premises to accommodate a Post Office. Other feedback welcomed the move to the new location, which was said to be closer for some customers, offering better access and longer opening times. This feedback helped me to understand customers’ views and to make sure that all such information was taken into account before finalising our plans.

"As part of the programme, our proposal to relocate Ffrith Post Office aims to help safeguard Post Office services in the local community for the longer term."

Mr Ruane said: "The Ffrith Post Office has provided an excellent service to residents and visitors over the years and this was very evident in the comments made.

"There will be many people who are very, very disappointed – not least Peter and Jenni Montgomery who have provided many years of excellent customer service – at this news and I can fully understand and sympathise with this."

Cllr Paul Penlington, of North Ward Prestatyn, labelled the decision a "disgrace".

He said: "The message from the community could not have been clearer. The Post Office regional network manager claims to have ‘carefully considered the feedback received during the public consultation period and the impact on local residents and the wider community’. That is absolute nonsense.

"They have completely dis-regarded the several hundred responses to their sham consultation.

"I collected a petition with several hundred signatures opposing this, Chris Ruane MP followed that with a public meeting with over a hundred residents opposing this, hundreds of residents also submitted individual comments and letters opposing this."