Post office move ‘a shambles’ say campaign group

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CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Littlehampton’s Crown post office have branded a consultation meeting into its future a ‘shambles’.

The meeting, organised by Post Office Ltd, took place on Monday evening, at the New Millennium Chamber, Manor House, in Church Street, was designed to illuminate people on the process of the consultation period into the suggested move of The Arcade’s post office to a new premises in High Street.

However, protesters – armed with placards saying ‘Save your local Crown Office’ – who lobbied at the meeting have claimed they are little the wiser as to the future of the treasured facility following the meeting.

Councillor Mike Northeast, who has, along with his fellow Labour councillors, played a key role in drumming up public support for the campaign, said: “I think the whole meeting, to be quite honest, was a sham.

“They came here tonight with no option but from putting this out to franchisee in a smaller shop which is totally inadequate for the size that Littlehampton requires.

“What they are putting forward is a loss to the town.”

At the meeting, Post Office officials explained the proposal, if approved, would see the facility moved into the former Stead & Simpson site, which would be occupied by prospective post office franchisee Yogi Eyecare Ltd.

However, campaigners questioned whether or not the site would be big enough to accommodate the custom,

Post Office representative Martine Munby down-played these concerns, assuring the size would be large enough to accommodate both the opticians and the post office.

Others urged the post office to consider appealing for franchisees to move into The Arcade’s current site. However, this was something Mrs Munby was unable to comment on.

Further details were revealed about the possible layout of the site. It could see the front portion of the store housing the opticians, with a cash desk and consultation room, while the back end would contain the post office.

However, these plans were only revealed following determined pleas from the meeting’s 50-strong audience.

Mrs Munby urged people to continue to voice their opinions throughout the consultation process, which ends on December 4. She said: “Obviously, there was some strong views and I’ve taken those away and I will feed them into the consultation process. People raised a number of issues and while there were concerns about the size of the shop and so forth, hopefully we have addressed those. I can assure everyone that all view points will be fully taken into account before we make a final decision.”