Whitstable delegation to meet with Post Office

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Whitstable delegation to meet with Post Office over failed franchise plans

http://www.canterburytimes.co.uk/Whitst ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

A DELEGATION made up of Whitstable politicians, residents and traders will head to London on Wednesday, November 12 for a two-hour meeting with the management of Post Office Ltd.

The delegation will be representing local community concerns over the recent process for franchising the Whitstable Crown Post Office, and concerns for any plans the Post Office Ltd has for a future franchise of the service in the town. The meeting, called by Cllr James Flanagan, follows the failure of plans by the Post Office Ltd to transfer Whitstable post office to Budgens last month.

There will be seven members attending the meeting, including parliamentary candidates Cllr James Flanagan (Lib Dem), Hugh Lanning (Labour) and Stuart Jeffery (Green Party). Also joining the group are harbour ward Independent Councillor, Phil Cartwright, CWU Royal Mail representative Chris Stone, local trader Mary-Jane Higginson and resident and campaigner, Julie Wassmer.

Commenting ahead of the meeting, Cllr Flanagan said: “I am pleased the senior manager leading Post Office Ltd’s franchise programme will meet with the delegation. This hopefully reflects the seriousness of the situation.”

The president of Whitstable’s Chamber of Commerce, Brian Hitcham, is unable to join the delegation, but has prepared a statement which will be taken to the meeting on his behalf.

Mr Hitcham said: “The ‘near disaster’ of the previous proposed transfer, that could so easily have resulted in our losing of the Post Office altogether, seems to demonstrate a total lack of regard by Post Office Ltd as to the continued long term viability of the service.

“We are particularly concerned, that the ‘consultation process’ appeared to be simply a tick box exercise, where, even though we had serious concerns about the proposed franchisee, there was no opportunity to discuss these.

“In light of this experience, we strongly urge the Post Office to end plans to close the Crown Post Office at Whitstable. The Post Office provides a key service which is relied upon by many businesses and residents, and it is vital that this service is protected.

“If the Post Office fails to understand this and remains intent on pressing ahead with its plans, it must understand that Whitstable would demand nothing less than a move from the Gladstone Road building into a store - only as a continuing Crown Post Office service - and not a franchise."

Adding to this, Mrs Wassmer said: “It is regrettable that Post Office Ltd declined an invitation to attend our public meeting on September 29 as we could have warned the company about the impending fiasco of their failed franchise.

However, she said she is pleased that a meeting at this high level is finally taking place and she hopes to return with a “proper update and some progress on this important issue”.

It is not yet known if Julian Brazier, MP for Whitstable and Canterbury, will be attending the meeting.