Newsagent’s exit threatens post office (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Newsagent’s exit threatens post office

11:17am Friday 9th May 2008 in

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ANOTHER post office in Basingstoke is set to close, prompting an angry response from local residents and councillors.

The McColl's convenience store, in Brighton Hill, is not renewing its lease at the Brighton Hill Centre and has told Post Office bosses it will be closing in three months.

The shop has had numerous problems with vandalism, shoplifting and, in March this year, a female employee was tied up and gagged during a robbery at the shop.

Bosses at McColl's were not available to comment on the reasons for closing the branch.

But Jane Thomas, spokeswoman for Post Office Ltd, confirmed that McColl's had given three months' notice and that the sub-post office based at the store would have to close temporarily.

"We are actively looking for somebody new to take over the running of the sub-post office and we have had several interested parties make contact with us already," she said.

Councillor Brian Gurden, who represents Brighton Hill on Bas-ingstoke and Deane Borough Council, is annoyed that residents in south Basingstoke will lose vital post office services.

He said: "Following so closely behind post office closures nearby in Kings Furlong and Old Basing, public access to vital services will be even more savagely curtailed."

This latest blow comes after five branches were closed in north Hampshire earlier this year.

Branches in Ashford Hill, Giles Court, Tadley, Wootton St Lawrence, Jay Bees Convenience Store, in Kings Furlong, and the Old Basing post office, in Cavalier Road, all sold their last books of stamps in February.

Cllr Gurden and fellow councillors staged a demonstration outside the McColl's store in the Brighton Hill Centre on Saturday to inform people of the news.

Jean Hanson, of Tweedsmuir Close, Buckskin, Basingstoke, said it was "totally wrong" for the people of Basingstoke to lose yet another post office.

She said she frequently uses the sub-post office at McColl's and knows many elderly people who would be lost without it.

The 65-year-old said: "For pensioners like me it is getting more difficult to go about your everyday business in your local area. I think it's ridiculous."

Anyone interested in taking on the service must be able to provide premises and can contact Post Office Ltd on 0845 6016260 for more details.