Campaigners vow to fight on for post office

12:00pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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CAMPAIGNERS in Dursley have vowed not to give up on Highfields post office, which has been told it will close.

Post Office Limited has confirmed that the Co-op post office in Rosebery Road will shut sometime early next month.

The news is devastating to hundreds of local residents and elderly and disabled people who could reach the Highfields post office with ease but will now have to venture into the town centre to use the post office.

However local campaigners have said they intend to continue fighting to save Highfields post office and plans are underway to prove to Gloucestershire County Council that it is a vital facility for the disabled.

Cllr Veronica Harding, who has been fronting the campaign to save Highfields post office, said: "We are still fighting for our post office. We just want some sort of negotiation and we want to get the best we can for Dursley."

Campaigners have collected testimonies from disabled residents who are unable to get into the town centre but can get to Highfields post office quite easily.

Cllr Harding said: "It is really about fighting for the more vulnerable people. WH Smith has helped to save a post office in Cheltenham, which is great but it is the rural ones that are really being hit. The post office is a vital facility for many people who live near it."

Ann Leany, clerk of Dursley Town Council, said: "Dursley Town Council is very disappointed. Post offices provide a very important and valuable service.

"Unfortunately, the closure of Highfields post office will greatly inconvenience the community and totally withdraw a service from those individuals, who, for whatever reason, can't travel into town - in short, the very people who most need and use local services."

Three staff members at the post office - two counter staff and a post mistress - will lose their jobs when the post office closes, although Co-op who own the Rosebery Road shop have promised they will help them find new jobs if it is necessary.

Adrian Barradell, PR manager for Co-op, said: "Midcounties Co-op is very sad to hear that the post office will close, but we have no choice in the matter.

"If it was up to us we would keep the post office open because as a co-operative we are committed to providing local post office facilities as part of our retail stores where ever we can.

"The earliest possible date it can close is June 3, although this date is to be confirmed."

It was also announced this week that the Sharpness Post Office, in Dock Road, will close in June.