Post Office closures 'terrible' for Welsh towns and cities

People in a town which is among five areas in Wales that could be without a central Post Office for about six months say it is "terrible".

The main Post Offices in Bangor, Caerphilly, Llandudno, Swansea and Wrexham are all inside branches of the newsagent TG Jones, which is closing almost a third of its shops as part of a restructuring.

Caerphilly and Wrexham Post Offices have already closed - along with the branches of TG Jones - and Bangor will shut in December, followed by Llandudno and Swansea early next year.

George Da Caosta, who moved to Llandudno one year ago from Brazil, said: "It's going to be terrible for the town."

He continued: "What are we going to do now if there's no-one to replace, or no-one to take over?

"The elderly people rely so much on a service like this. It's going to be a shame, but what can we do?"

The Post Office branches affected in Wales are:

• Caerphilly - Unit 4 Castle Court Shopping Centre, closed 8 August 2026
• Wrexham - 58 Hope Street, closed 12 September 2026
• Bangor - 264 High Street, closing 29 December 2026
• Llandudno - 101 Mostyn Street, closing early 2027
• The City Of Swansea - 37 The Quadant Shopping Centre, closing 22 February 2027

The Post Office said it wants to open replacement branches as soon as possible and although this process has started, it will take several months.

Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS) Janet Finch-Saunders, whose Bangor Conwy Môn constituency includes Llandudno, described the closure as a "devastating blow".

Claire Hughes, MP for Bangor Aberconwy, said a temporary service needs to be put in place while the Post Office organises a long-term replacement branch.

The retailer TG Jones, whose town centre stores used to trade under the name WH Smith, said in July it was on the brink of insolvency with a cash shortfall of nearly £8m.

A restructuring plan was approved by the High Court which involved closing up to 150 shops, including the Post Office branches inside several of them.

Speaking from outside the Post Office Kyle Lodge, who is from the town, said: "It's quite an inconvenience to be fair, there's not many places around here that offer the same they do. I wish it would stay open.

"We've got to travel all around, I think the closest one is Colwyn Bay from here.

"It's a long way to go to drop off letters, presents and everything."

He said he needs to send things all over the world, including to Japan where his girlfriend lives.

Anne Hewitt, who lives in Rhôs-on-Sea, said: "For people who need it it's essential. I think it needs one.

"You think they'd be able to set up a temporary one in the meantime really. You think it would be fairly straightforward in this day and age."

Delyth Shotter, from Deganwy, said: "What do they expect us to do for six months? Not good. It's a shame they don't use the library in town, have a post office there."

She added: "I use the Post Office very often. I still write letters, so even buying a book of stamps means going somewhere else."

Finch-Saunders said: "The closure of the Post Office will deal a devastating blow to the local area, with many residents, visitors and businesses relying on the branch.

"Its closure will create significant uncertainty, as the closest alternative is a small branch within the One Stop store at West Shore, which is already very busy.

"People rely on these vital services for access to cash, deposits, bill payments, parcel services and many other essential services."

Hughes said: "I have made my position very clear to the Post Office. Residents must not be left without access to Post Office services on Bangor High Street or Mostyn Street in Llandudno while new operators are found."

She added she would "continue to keep the pressure on" until Post Office services are restored.

A Post Office spokesperson said: "TG Jones is closing some of its stores including Bangor, Llandudno and The City of Swansea, plus Caerphilly and Wrexham which have already closed, and regrettably the Post Offices within those stores are affected.

"The vacancies have already been advertised and we have heard from interested retailers.

"We are now looking more closely at the expressions of interest. We want to open a replacement branch as soon as possible, but this can take around six months and customers are advised to visit alternative branches in the interim."