WITH regard to last week s letter from Mrs P Findlay, I would like to address the concerns she has over the operation of Royston Post Office, and her trouble with the helpline. If a customer is able to weigh an item under their own volition, we regret th

WITH regard to last week's letter from Mrs P Findlay, I would like to address the concerns she has over the operation of Royston Post Office, and her trouble with the helpline.

If a customer is able to weigh an item under their own volition, we regret that we must still weigh the item ourselves in accordance to the Royal Mail code of conduct.

While we sympathise with individuals who believe our scales are inaccurate we must insist on the postage the scales tell us to be able to take the item into our custody.

Should a customer deem that unacceptable we are more than happy to simply sell postage stamps to any value and for the customer to simply post it at their convenience.

It is unfortunate that Mrs Findlay had such difficulties in dealing with the national helpline´ numbers, as she described, and I believe it was a one-off. My dealings with the helpline have never had me waiting more than five minutes, either phoning for business purposes, or to assist in a customer's enquiry.

To answer her final trouble, I would like to mention that Monday morning's are the busiest period of the week, only partially rivalled by Friday afternoons, and it was unfortunate to find only two counters open at the time in question she arrived.

The aim is to provide at least three open counters at all times. When illnesses and holidays strike there is not always a full contingent of cover available if they overlap and so, like any small business, shortages can occur.

It is fortunate that, no matter what the case, we have always been able to offer some service to customers as opposed to simply closing for the day.

We welcome Mrs Findlay to return at a period of the day when we are not so busy, for instance between 10am-midday or between 2-3pm, which she would find more to her liking.

PHILIP O'DONNELL

Royston Post Office

# WITH reference to the letter from P Findlay in last week's edition (November 16), and her comments on the local post office.

As a businessman in the High Street, I not only support her comments I endorse them.

The problem is lack of competition. I wonder whether it would treat their customers, in my view, so badly if Tesco offered postal services.

Having two or, at the most, three windows open at any time is the norm in my experience.

If I am forced to go to the post office I have to close my shop for on average 20 minutes. How many other shopkeepers could treat their customers so badly and survive.

It appears to take pleasure in keeping queues of people waiting, and complaining seems to be a waste of time.

It will not wake its ideas up until it gets some serious competition.

Well done Mrs Findlay.

JOHN DOWNING

High Street,

Royston