Vauxhall Street Post Office Faces Closure

7.19.00pm GMT Thu 13th Mar 2008

With days to go until the official list of post office branch closures in Norfolk is published, Norwich South Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman Simon Wright warns that Vauxhall Street Post Office in Norwich will be included on that list. Mr Wright has been leading a city-wide campaign against post office closures in Norwich, and has collected well over 1,000 petition signatures opposing the closure of city branches.

Mr Wright says:

"I am totally opposed to the branch closure programme, which the Labour Government has pushed for. Our local post offices provide a valuable service to so many people in Norwich that we simply can't afford to lose any of them."

"Vauxhall Street Post Office looks set to be the victim of a map drawing exercise by bureaucrats in London. The only reason for its closure appears to be that it's closer to the main Castle Mall Post Office than many other branches. But there are many factors which are positive about the Vauxhall Street branch which should be taken into account."

"It is located in the middle of an area where significant population growth is expected in recent years, so this branch has the opportunity both to expand its business and also to relieve the overwhelming pressure on the Castle Mall Post Office."

"There are excellent parking facilities directly outside of the post office, which is unusual for a city centre post office. It also has very good disabled facilities and access. As well as the post office itself, there is also an ATM on the site which I'm told is used by over 1,000 people every week."

"The post office is also run by an enthusiastic postmaster who would be keen to take on new initiatives to expand his business. With all of these positives, its hard to believe that this Post Office should be earmarked for closure."

"There are also other factors which should be taken into account, such as the neighbouring businesses who will suffer if the post office is lost. Many people who come to use the post office on Vauxhall Street will use the other shops adjacent to the branch, and without the post office some of this trade will be lost. There could be a domino effect on these businesses."

Post Office Ltd will be undertaking a public consultation exercise once the official closure list has been published on Wednesday 26 March.

"I will be writing to local residents in the next few days, urging them to add their name to the petition if they haven't already, and also to take part in the consultation process," added Mr Wright.