Post Office could open up in library

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PLANS to open a post office branch in Summertown Library are gathering momentum, if enough money can be raised to extend the building.

Friends of Summertown Library first mooted the idea of sharing the building with a post office in February, when the library was threatened with having its funding withdrawn by Oxfordshire County Council.

The council’s latest proposals guarantee the library’s future, but the pressure group is still pressing for a new post office branch to be part of the redesign.

The Friends have been told by council officers it may be possible to extend the building to house a post office counter, if funds can be raised and Post Office Ltd back the proposals.

Summertown has been left without a post office since Martin’s newsagent on Banbury Road was closed in 2008 to become a Costa coffee house.

Liberal Democrat councillor Jean Fooks said 300 people had already signed a petition calling for a new branch to open in the suburb.

She said: “Originally, the Post Office said they would be happy to have a branch reopened if we could find a site.

“More recently, they have said people have got used to the change and no longer need it.

“But there is just too much public support for a new post office to argue that.”

Marcus Ferrar, of Friends of Summertown Library, said a survey of residents showed people wanted their post office back.

He said: “Just like the library, they see it as key to the life of the Summertown community.”

Meanwhile, Oxford’s post offices could start offering some city and county council services, including paying bills and rent, to put them back at the heart of communities.

Post Office Ltd’s marketing development manager Simon Burman met with both councils last week to discuss what services could be introduced to branches if the idea goes ahead.

City council leader Bob Price said discussions were at an early stage.

He said: “It would give more accessibility so people would not have to travel as far, and there could be some cost reductions for us.”

Royal Mail Group spokesman Marie Gray confirmed there had been initial discussions with the two councils.

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