SAVE OUR POST OFFICES DARLING (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

SAVE OUR POST OFFICES DARLING

May 18, 2007 10:50 AM

Martin today confronted Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling over the future of the town's Post Offices.

Martin's comments followed the Secretary of State's statement to the House of Commons, in which he announced the intention to close at least 2,500 post offices across the country.

Cheltenham has already been hit hard by post office closures, and continues to see more, with the notice recently given that the Hester's Way post office located in the McColl's store will close. On the morning of Monday 21 May, Martin will be taking part in a protest against this sudden announcement in Coronation Square, near the threatened post office.

In the debate, Martin said:

Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): Much has rightly been said about rural post offices in this discussion, but Hesters Way in my constituency is described by the Government as one of the most deprived urban neighbourhoods in the country. It is losing its local post office, located in a branch of McColl's, at almost no notice within a matter of weeks. Now we are told that Cheltenham's modern, purpose-built Crown post office is to be relocated in WH Smith. What guarantees do we have that that will not suffer the same fate?

Mr. Darling: As I said earlier, I very much hope that the arrangement with WH Smith will encourage more people to visit the post office. Judging by the pilots carried out a short while ago, that has been successful. The key to the future of the Post Office is that the more people use it, the better-and the more reasons for using it, the greater the chance for success. That is why these proposals are being made.

Afterwards, Martin commented:

"The Secretary of State gave me no reassurances about the potential danger of transferring our main post office to a WH Smith. If McColl's can suddenly announce the closure of its in-store branch, what will prevent WH Smith from doing the same?

"It is particularly hard for Cheltenham people to take as previous closures, like Montpellier post office, have been justified on the grounds that people could get to the high street.

"I will be demanding an urgent meeting with Post Office Ltd to discuss both these closures"