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Villagers unite to save their post office
Villagers in Upper Dicker have vowed to fight the planned closure of their local post office.
The Village Shop, in Coldharbour Road, could lose its post office service under government plans to cut the number of branches.
A six-week public consultation period has begun and runs until December 24.
Husband and wife Tess Flower and Matt Knight only took over The Village Shop earlier this year. Customers have flocked through the doors all week to support them.
Some were not aware of the planned closure until they visited the shop and read Post Office posters explaining the 'network change'.
The village's vicar, Rev Charlie Hill, and his wife Muriel both use the shop and its post office on a regular basis.
Mrs Hill said alternative branches suggested by the Post Office at Horsebridge and Golden Cross were not viable.
She said, "There's a lot of older people who don't drive who will struggle to get to a post office if this one closes.
"This shop was run down until Tess took it over.
"The Post Office is basing its decision on what the shop was like previously.
"Now it has got all villagers could need – fresh bread, fresh vegetables, an off licence and also a post office."
Phil Beck, vice-chairman of Hellingly Conservative Association, warned closing the post office would have a knock-on effect on the boarders of St Bede's School, who use the shop to send letters home and top-up credit on their mobile phones.
He said, "The Post Office does not appear to have taken into consideration the up-to-date operations at the Village Shop.
"They have ignored the 1,000 or so pupils at St Bede's School, a large number of whom are boarders and use the local post office regularly, and also the number of local businesses who also utilise the store's services.
"The Post Office believes pensioners and customers can use post offices which are more than two miles from Upper Dicker, with no public transport to either of them.
"Without a car it is difficult to see how customers can visit these offices. It is essential that pressure is maintained on the Post Office to reconsider its plans."
The Countryside Alliance is also throwing its weight behind the campaign to save rural post offices.
Spokesperson Michelle Nudds said, "We all feel that the government has missed the point on post offices. Financial viability cannot be the only concern when considering whether to continue subsidising the post office network.
"Post Offices are the social heart of many communities and without them thousands of people, including many elderly and disabled, would be increasingly isolated.
"The government must look at the bigger picture before deciding the fate of many of our local communities."
Comments for the public consultation should be sent to Gary Herbert, network development manager, Post Office Ltd, c/o national consultation team, Freepost Consultation Team. No stamp is required.
Alternatively you can e-mail consultation@postoffice.co.uk
Full details of the changes to post office services can be found at www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange
Arlington Parish Council meets tomorrow (Thursday, November 22, at 7.30pm) to discuss the proposed closure. All are welcome to attend.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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