Cornwall Council launches battle to keep Penzance Post Office open

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.cornishman.co.uk/Cornwall-Co ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cornwall Council has announced that they are urging Post Office Limited to ditch their plans to replace the Crown Post Office in Penzance with franchised services, in order to give the community more time to develop alternative proposals.

Jim McKenna, the councillor for Penzance Promenade, saw his motion, requesting Post Office Limited to suspend the proposed development, seconded by Malcolm Brown, councillor for St Austell Bethell and supported by members.

Mr McKenna wants to see a fully costed evaluation of alternative options before any final decision, believing that the plans would damage the viability of the town centre and would see fewer staff offer a slimmer range of services.

"The Crown Post Offices in Penzance and St Austell are key community assets which are valued by both local residents and visitors to the towns" said Mr McKenna.

"As well as threatening the future of these post offices, the proposals are the first of a three stage programme which could also see the post offices in Camborne, Redruth, Truro, Newquay and Liskeard disappear over the coming months and years."

"I am delighted that there was such strong cross party support for this Motion at this week's council meeting.

"This is an issue which has united Penzance and thousands of people have already pledged their total opposition to the proposal by Post Office Limited to franchise out and close our Crown Post Office in the town.

"I hope the Council's intervention, which follows the line set by Penzance Town Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the BID, will give us the time to develop alternative proposals which would allow the Post Office to remain in its current location and also see the four apartments which have lain empty for the past 12 years brought back into use, which would generate substantial additional income to improve further the profitability of the Post Office'.

The Motion was seconded by Malcolm Brown, who is looking to protect his local Post Office in St Austell too.

He said: "Post offices are a vital part of town centres and I believe they have a responsibility to deliver their service in a way which contributes in the strongest way possible to the vitality of the town.

"In St Austell the Crown Post Office is one of the main attractions that draws shoppers into the town centre.

"Their strategy should be to develop their very strong brand.

"The message that they are seeking to move and presumably run their service down is very disappointing.

"It is also bad that they have failed to engage properly with community representatives and consult them.

"The staff in the Post Office are excellent.

"It is very bad that they now face an uncertain future" .

The Council's Chief Executive has written to Post Office Limited, following the vote by members to support the Motion, to request the suspension of the franchise programme in the Duchy.