Bideford Post Office set to become a franchise as interim operator announced

Bideford’s main Post Office and one of the last in the country to be directly run by the Crown looks set to become a franchise.

The Post Office announced today (Wednesday, June 4) its proposals for a second tranche of the last remaining directly managed branches to become franchises, including Bideford’s branch on the Quay.

The Bideford Post Office will be managed at least in the short term by South Coast retail, headed by Liam Searle, which is taking on five other branches across the South West to add to its list of premises in Dorset.

The Gazette has asked for more details on the timetable but the Post Office says it is proposed the 19 branches in the second wave will ‘be operated by three operators from the same premises where they are currently located whilst the long-term arrangements for the branch are finalised’.

Above: Liam Searle, head of South Coast Retail, which will be taking on the main Bideford Post Office on the Quay. Credit: South Coast Retail

It was revealed in early April the Post Office was seeking to become a fully franchised operation, saying it was part of its commitment ‘to deliver a New Deal for Postmasters’.

Today it said it had focused on selecting candidates to operate the last remaining directly managed branches that ‘have a clear track record of successfully running branches and have the capacity and resources to take on branches in multiple locations’.

Applicants’ business plans, balance sheet strength and funding availability were all assessed as part of this process.

Sir Geoffrey Cox, Torridge and West Devon MP had previously called on the Post Office to retain a directly managed branch in Bideford and not put it out to franchise.

He said: “I am very disappointed to learn the Post Office has not listened to the representations of local people, mine and others, that the current directly-managed branch should be retained in Bideford.

“I have been in regular contact with the Post Office and I have informed its senior management that I shall monitor closely the range, quantity and quality of the services available from the newly franchised branch.”

A Post Office spokesperson said: “Moving to a fully franchised network is one part of enabling the Post Office to deliver a ‘New Deal for Postmasters’, helping to create a long-term, sustainable future for the Post Office.

“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.”

New franchisee South Coast Retail – which also appears to be known as First Class Cards – is a Dorset-based retail chain of card shops and post offices, described as ‘close-knit’ with 50 employees.

It has branches across Weymouth, Dorchester, Sherborne and Swanage, as well as three outreach services for communities in the Swanage area. A banking hub also opens in Sherborne this month.

Head of the company Liam Searle, 36, is the third generation of his family to work in post offices, with both his dad and grandfather working as counter clerks.

His dad later became area manager and then took on the Swanage Post Office, with Liam taking over as postmaster there in 2019. His dad still works at the branch and runs the outreach services.

In addition to Bideford, South Coast Retail will also take on Liskeard, Mutley, Paignton and Teignmouth post offices.

The Gazette has asked the Post Office and approached South Coast Retail for further comment and an indication of when Bideford will be handed over.