Local Lib Dems campaign to save Borough Post Office

3.32.19pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd May 2007

Borough MP Simon Hughes and local Liberal Democrat councillors have started a campaign to prevent the closure of the Crown Post Office on Borough High Street.

The Post Office recently announced plans to review the status of Crown Post Offices across the country, with some branches being incorporated into WH Smith stores. As yet, no franchisee has been found for the branch at 239 Borough High Street, prompting fears that the Post Office may close.

Mr Hughes obtained a debate last Friday (18th May) in the House of Commons on the issue of Crown Post Offices, and along with local councillors and residents, has been collecting petitions calling on the Post Office to keep the branch open. Mr Hughes presented the first of the completed petitions to the House of Commons last week.

Commenting, Mr Hughes said:

"Twenty years ago we fought and won the campaign to keep this post office open. With all the closures of local sub-post offices which both Conservative and Labour governments have permitted in recent years the four Crown Post Offices in North Southwark and Bermondsey are now more important than ever.

"It is encouraging that the Blackfriars Road, London Bridge and Walworth Road offices are safe, but I will not be content until I know that Borough High Street is safe again too.

"The early response to our campaign has been very encouraging. I hope there will be many more pledges of support in the weeks ahead so I can go into my discussions with Post Office bosses with maximum evidence of the public's commitment to the Borough High Street post office."

Simon Hughes MP with local Liberal Democrat councillors

ENDS