'Safeguard our post offices' call to government

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Keep our post offices safe - that was the message to the new coalition government today as reassurances were sought over the future of the service.

Two years ago proposals were unveiled to close branches across the Norwich area and nearly 50 others across the rest of Norfolk.

Branches at Trowse, Cringleford, Great Plumstead, Rosary Road and Earlham were lost as part of the Network Change programme, which saw the closure 2,500 outlets nationwide.

Some, however, remained open, including Vauxhall Street and New Costessey, following a community campaign led by the Evening News.

Today newly-installed Norwich South MP Simon Wright, who backed the campaign, was due in the House of Commons to call on Vince Cable, the secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, to state his plans for the future of the post office network.

Mr Wright, who was due to quiz Dr Cable during an oral question session, said: “A couple of years ago I fought alongside local residents to save post offices in Norwich from the previous government's closure programme.

“I'm seeking assurances from this government that local people will not have to go through that again. With some bold and creative thinking, we can and must reinvigorate the network of post office branches.

“Many people rely on their local post office, including many elderly people and others with mobility problems. When a branch is lost, it is often the vulnerable who suffer the most.”

Shortly before the election, the then Labour Government announced extra funding of £180 million for Post Offices under a major expansion of financial services offered by the network in a bid to make branches more sustainable.

Lord Mandelson said the new measures, including new accounts and business services, had previously been likened to creating a Post Office Bank.

However, it is as yet unclear what plans the new coalition government has and whether these proposals will be progressed.

Alison Cooper runs New Costessey Post Office, which was spared the axe during the 2008 cull. She welcomed the calls, saying: “Anything that can be done to assure the post office's future is a good idea. There are some proposals in the pipeline and they need to be actioned and brought forward.

“We wouldn't have gone through the fight if we hadn't wanted to. It was essential for people in New Costessey and they were behind us. We couldn't have done it without the support of them, local politicians and the county council.

“People need to access banking and money and they can't always travel into the city; in any case, many of the bank branches have closed down. We offer licence payment and travel money; everything that post offices do, people need. We're a shop as well, so there are cards, stationery items and packaging, too.

“We're an important part of the community. People see it like that and do support us. Yes, I do worry about the future but I'm concerned about every day.”

When the previous round of closures were unveiled thousands of people signed Evening News peitions to keep them open. Hundreds more attended a public meeting to have their say.

Mr Wright, who won Norwich South from the Liberal Democrats at the general election in May, added: “The government has said that we will look at ways of preserving the network. I want to get an early commitment from the secretary of state on that.

“The closure programme two years ago caused an awful lot of distress. I want to see the government making a real commitment to the post office network so we can avoid that situation coming about again.”

Mr Wright said safeguarding post offices' future was not necessarily a question of government subsidy. “It's giving them the flexibility to develop their businesses in the way they would like,” he said.

“There are a lot of rules and restrictions put on postmasters. For instance, there is potential for them to act as a hub for internet-based retail, but currently it's not possible for them to deal with packages for anyone but Royal Mail.”

What would you like to see done to safeguard the future of the post office network? Write to Letters, Evening News, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk