Postal bosses 'ignoring impact of closures' in Bognor Regis

Furious Cllr Gill Brown, the leader of Arun District Council, said she was appalled by the go-ahead for the outlets at South Bersted, Hawthorn Road, Station Road, Aldwick (Aldwick Road) and Craigweil to be axed. They will be closed after May 13.

All the branches earmarked for closure will be shutting in spite of community and council protests to save them. Cllr Mrs Brown said her anger was increased because the reasons given for the reprieve of the Parklands branch in Chichester equalled applied to those around Bognor.

These were a lot of elderly residents, a large percentage of customers without a car, benefit claimants and a number of people with a long-term illness.

"For some reason, these factors were enough to save a branch in Chichester but not enough to save even one from Bognor," she said.

"Each and every one of these reasons was included in our objection to the Post Office Ltd, both in writing or in face-to-face meetings. Yet they do not seem to have been given the proper consideration that was needed.

"The Post Office has demonstrated by agreeing to save Parklands that a branch in such a dependant area should not be closed.

"So how can they then carry on with plans to shut other branches with exactly the same issues? It's absurd. Bognor has some of the most deprived areas in the county.

"The closure of these post offices will strike in the very heart of these already suffering communities. This is a bitter blow for all of them."