Member of Parliament for Windsor, Jack Rankin has formally presented his petition, signed by over 1,600 people locally, opposing any closure of the Peascod Street Post Office branch, to Parliament.
The petition was started by Rankin in November, after reports emerged that the busy central Windsor branch was at risk. He subsequently wrote to the Chairman of the Post Office Ltd asking for assurances that the branch would remain open, and visited to meet with staff and a company representative.
In recent weeks, it was confirmed by the Post Office Ltd that a switch to the franchising model for “directly managed branch” Post Offices, which includes Windsor, was proceeding.
However, this remains to be confirmed until the necessary government funding is in place. Furthermore, importantly, the switch may yet see Windsor Post Office relocated “up to one mile” from the existing branch and possibly away from the town centre.
Speaking in the House of Commons chamber, Jack Rankin MP said:
“Further to my online petition, which received 1,594 signatures, I rise to present this paper petition on behalf of the residents of Windsor. I thank everybody who signed my petition to save Windsor Post Office, and in particular my constituent Sue Pendry for her help and campaigning on this issue.
“While progress on a franchising deal is promising, it is subject to Government funding and may yet see the branch moved up to a mile away. Windsor cannot afford to lose this busy branch when the town centre already faces jacked-up parking charges, increased business taxes and, frankly, the poor state of the public realm.”
He will receive a formal response to his petition from the government.
