Horizon: Nefyn post office closes after failing to recruit staff
- Published
Hundreds of sub-postmasters were prosecuted when the faulty Horizon computer system wrongly showed money missing from Post Office branches
"Horror stories" that left a post office unable to recruit staff have forced it to close.
Nefyn post office, in Gwynedd, closed its doors last September after people were "frightened off" by the Horizon system.
The scandal has been highlighted by ITV's hit drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office, which aired this month.
The Post Office said it wanted to see justice for all those who were wronged during the scandal.
A note on Nefyn post office's counter, put up by the Spar Madryn Shop, in which was located, said the counter would be shut permanently.
It read: "Due to the demands of the Horizon system coupled with the recent horror stories we are finding it increasingly difficult to secure members of staff willing and able to man the counter."
Madryn Shop's supervisor, Nicola Wood, said there was some initial interest but following the drama which starred Toby Jones as Alan Bates from Llandudno, all interest disappeared.
Her sister, Lorraine Williams, from Anglesey, was one of the former sub-postmasters wrongly convicted of false accounting.
Nicola Wood, Madryn shop supervisor, said the branch in her shop was closing because no-one wants to work there
Ms Wood said: "I don't like the Post Office anyway because of what my sister has gone through. I knew what was going on, but many didn't.
"It's a big responsibility, and especially now, knowing that the Horizon system is faulty, or has been faulty, they just don't want to work on it."
MP Liz Saville-Roberts said the scandal and Post Office business practices were hurting communities.
"The post office in Nefyn closed partly because staff no longer trust the computer systems, which I bet is happening in countless communities," she said.
The scandal has been brought to the fore by ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, starring Toby Jones
Gwynedd councillor Anwen Davies said: "It's terrible that there isn't a post office in Nefyn anymore."
The Post Office said the Tudweiliog office is located nearby and can be reached by public transport.
"The recent ITV drama movingly depicted a shameful period in Post Office's history," it said.
"Nevertheless, we welcome it and its effect in encouraging victims of the Horizon IT scandal to come forward, and in precipitating justice for all those who have been wronged."
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