Often, when faced with a queue 30+ people deep, which will of course mean a considerable wait, many abandon the idea completely, instead waiting for a moment when they pass another nearby branch which is likely to be far less busy. Doing business at the window-less, chair-less, underground bunker in Churchill Square is not a pleasant experience.

Therefore, over the summer I was concerned to hear about plans the Post Office has to close the branch on Western Road in Hove. The Post Office is currently considering merging it with the branch on Melville Road, also in Hove.

Whilst the branch in Western Road is just outside of my Brighton Pavilion constituency, I fail to see how it will not increase pressure on the branch in Churchill Square. Furthermore, with the future of community Post Office branches up and down the country more uncertain than ever, I fear that many older people, and more vulnerable residents, will struggle to access their local branch.

In a survey for Age Concern, over 98% of older people said that their Post Office is a “lifeline”, and played an important part in their local community.

Post Offices also make a huge contribution to the local economy. Research from the New Economics Foundation shows how, for every £10 earned in income, the post office generates £16.20 for its local economy. And each post office saves small business in their direct vicinity in the region of £270,000 each year.

I am not prepared to stand by and see vital services, like those offered by our Post Offices, decimated. I’ve written to the Post Office to raise my concerns about the proposal, I’ve also signed the petition: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-brunswick-town-s-post-office.

A public meeting to discuss the proposal is being held this evening, with the help of local Green Party councillors, Ollie Sykes and Phelim MacCafferty.  Opposition to closure plans has cross-party support and the meeting is an opportunity for the local community to voice their concerns about the proposal, and to debate alternatives. I will continue to do all I can to ensure the Post Office listens to the arguments being put forward, and revises its plans accordingly.

More details about the meeting are online here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-future-for-our-post-office-tickets-17942861582.