Bognor Regis Post Office move '˜will affect shops'

The petition is signed by residents at the hand over to Nick Gibb ks1600045-3

Mr Rahman said the loss of the popular and busy facility from the eastern end of the High Street would be a major blow to the area.

“The post office is an anchor for that part of the town. It brings a lot of people and footfall that way,” he said.

“Losing that anchor will have a detrimental effect on that area. Businesses there already feel they are on the outskirts and are forgotten about. If the post office goes, it will be another blow to them.”

As reported, Post Office Ltd is seeking to privatise its Crown Post Office in the town. It has invited expression of interest from companies which are prepared to franchise the services.

The company has received some interest and is assessing the responses before it starts a six week consultation about its chosen partner. But Mr Rahman said the firm was looking at the matter wrongly.

“I think Post Office Ltd are missing a trick to be honest. It’s such a well-known brand, it’s got a good reputation and a lot of heritage to it.

“When you look at the image of the banks, Post Office Ltd could make a real play by presenting themselves as a local alternative to the banks that people are looking for these days. Moving will look like they are pulling out of the community,” he said.

Mr Rahman said he would be interested to see the proposals Post Office Ltd came up with for the future of its services.

“I’m not happy it’s closing down and I would like to understand why that decision has been made,” he said.

“I would like to know the long term plans for that building and what the future holds for the Royal Mail depot behind it. But I am pleased the services will remain after they have been franchised so that local people can still get the services they are used to from a post office.”

About 3,500 people signed a petition which was presented to Bognor’s MP, Nick Gibb, to be sent to Post Office Ltd.

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