A CONSULTATION has been launched today to gauge public response to the proposal to move Basingstoke’s Post Office.

As previously reported in The Gazette, The Post Office has announced proposals to relocate the London Road Post Office to the WHSmith store in The Malls.

The news has been met with much criticism from civic leaders in Basingstoke and Deane.

The proposal is for the Post Office to be run under a franchise agreement, as part of a new deal with WHSmith to relocate up to 40 Post Offices into stores in 2019.

It is believed that if the relocation goes ahead, it would lead to the closure of the Top of The Town store.

The Post Office says it is not consulting on the decision to move to a commercial franchise position, but welcomes feedback from residents on issues such as the location itself and ease of access.

Basingstoke’s MP Maria Miller has contested the move proposal and has said that the Post Office is “part of the fabric of the town and hub of activity at the Top of the Town.”

Mrs Miller is encouraging residents to have their say on the consultation to make sure that their voices are heard, and their concerns are addressed.

The MP said: “As I have said before, the Post Office on London Road is part of the fabric of the town and a hub of activity at the Top of Town.

“The central location of Basingstoke's main post office makes it a valuable asset in the town. If this is to move to the WHSmith store in the Old Basing Mall shopping centre, this could adversely affect the Top of Town. I am also concerned that residents may lose vital services when the move takes place.”

She added: “I would urge residents make their views heard as part of the Post Office consultation and get their comments in by the December 12 deadline.”

A Basingstoke Post Office Customer Forum will be held on Thursday, 15 November, from 2pm to 6pm at the Basingstoke Discovery.

For further information or to have your say on the consultation, go to postofficeviews.co.uk/national-consultation-team/copy-of-nt-offsite-template-3.