Postmaster blames changes for closure

Ash Patel says there is too much competition

A West Midlands postmaster says controversial changes over the way pensions and benefits are paid, have forced the closure of his business.

The government is paying pensions and benefits through direct debit.

But the owner of Deepfields Post Office in Bilston in the Black Country, Ash Patel, says the move has resulted in a loss of customers.

He will be closing his business for good in April.

'Uncertain future'

Over the next three years, more than 170 urban post offices are expected to close across the West Midlands because they are no longer viable.

Mr Patel told the BBC's Midlands Today programme: "The government should have looked after us and they haven't.

"And it has come to the situation now whereby the future is uncertain, there's too much competition out there and the custom is not there anymore."

The Royal Mail says the closure of any post office is regrettable but there is not enough business to go round.

They say that if they don't make these difficult decisions now, then even more branches will have to close in the future.