Councillors in fight to re-open post offices

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LOCAL Liberal Democrat councillors have come out in support of the campaign being waged by Conservative MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown to get two Cirencester post offices reopened.

Earlier this month the Standard reported how the Cotswold MP had renewed his election pledge to fight the Stratton and Beeches Post Office closures.

Lib Dem councillors were instrumental in the campaign when the closures were announced two years ago helping to gather a petition of thousands of signatures in a bid to rally support and prove to Royal Mail chiefs that the branch was invaluable.

District councillors Margaret Edney, Deryck Nash and Paul Hodgkinson led the demonstration outside the Stratton Post Office along with former county councillor Roger Brown, who also organised 300-strong protest march.

Cllr Edney said as a resident of Stratton, she was extremely disappointed when Post Office Ltd made its decision to close the local branch despite the strength of local opposition. "Many of us campaigned strongly at the time and put much time and effort into getting our arguments heard in support," she said. "Hundreds of local people turned out to demonstrate at the shop itself and in the march around Cirencester. "We still miss our post office deeply, as it is such a nuisance to travel into town and carry parcels. When the shop is closed, we can't even post a letter there. Anything our MP can do to give us back our post office will be welcomed - we must try all avenues."

Town councillor Andy Lichnowski also pledged his support saying he was delighted by the news that Mr Cliffton-Brown is taking up the fight.

"During the post office closure consultation I was very active, analysing the closure proposals in detail and sending a submission of objection," he said.

"I am very keen to get involved in a campaign to re-open Stratton Post Office," he said.

Beeches shopowner Lee Cox said he was waiting for a response from Mr Clifton-Brown about how he could get involved with the campaign.