Press Release - Post Offices 25.02.04

LOCAL PEOPLE MUST HAVE A SAY ON POST OFFICES

Lynne Jones MP has called on Post Office managers to listen to the views of local people before deciding on any post office closures in her Selly Oak Constituency. "It is, of course essential that post office businesses must have a long term future but every possible avenue must be explored to bring this about with a minimal number of closures - by expanding the facilities provided or considering the amalgamation of post offices with other retail outlets" she said today.

On Monday 1 March, the MP will be meeting with Mike Dalton, Midlands External Relations Manager for the Post office and Steve Taylor, Retail Manager to discuss the proposals, published today, to close up to 7 of the 16 post offices located in her constituency. Commenting on the plans, she said:

"Last year, I met with postmasters and mistresses worried about the viability of the businesses they have invested in and so have to accept that some closures are inevitable given the changing climate and the move towards direct payment of benefits into bank accounts. However, I am concerned about the scale of the closures which will cause hardship to vulnerable people. Particularly at risk are elderly people and families with no access to a car. There are also concerns about the viability of local shopping centres where the post office is often the anchor for other shops."

"I am anxious to hear from any constituent that will adversely affected and would urge them to contact me on 486 2808, via jonesl@parliament.uk or by writing to me at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Labour councillors and party members will also be out in the community gathering information from local people. Finally, I would urge everyone who values their local post office to use the facilities there -particularly by opening post office card accounts or using the convenient banking facilities that post offices now provide for many other banks."

E N D S

Note to Editors:

The Post Office is consulting on plans to close the following sub-post offices in Selly Oak Constituency:

Bournville

Raddlebarn Road

Stirchley

Ten Acre Street

Weoley Avenue

Redditch Road

Wychall Lane

There is a six weeks consultation period that ends on 7 April.

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