"This decision will cost me £2,500 a year."

The impact our post office's closure will have on business could spell disaster for our town's entrepreneurs.

Here Jenny Rolfe, Managing Director of the Model House, Llantrisant, outlines the problems the twelve businesses contained in the building will have in the wake of Post Office Ltd.'s decision.

"My first reaction to the news our branch was closing was: 'God, that really is going to cause us great problems'

"Because we are a funded organisation we have tight budgets. I have an annual postage budget of £3,000 which may be small amount to some but it's a large percentage of our turnover.

"Say, for example, that we host an exhibition like the Christmas one, which had 50 or 60 makers in that show.

"About 90% of items are jewellery or textiles - small parcels that can go through the post office.

"Come the end of the show we've got to get those items back, most by special delivery. We do them in batches, pay by cheque at the post office, it's proximity is absolutely invaluable.

"To go to the alternative post office in Southgate means someone has to hop into a car (which is bad for the environment) and it obviously adds to business costs too.

"Because of our location it's so difficult to get to other post offices, the roads are unsafe, it's hard enough to get to them if you're able-bodied. You take your life in your hands.

"There are twelve businesses in this one building alone and they will be greatly disrupted by the decision because the post office is generally the hub of any village or town I've lived in, it's such a vital asset.

"I would estimate that this closure will add £100 a fortnight to costs, which is £2,500 a year, money I do not have.

"I don't think the people in charge have read or listened to the arguments."