Residents sign petition over Post Office closure

A petition to save a town's Post Office has reached more than 1,400 signatures in just over a week.

Residents from Calne, Wiltshire, want to save the branch based inside a Morrisons Daily on Phelps Parade, which is due to close on Saturday when the supermarket giant's smaller outlet itself closes.

Town councillor Tara Fisher has described it as "another blow to Calne residents who already face a lack of services".

The Post Office has confirmed it is actively looking for a replacement branch. Meanwhile, it has said customers can use the James Avenue and Quemerford branches as well as the Calne Banking Hub.

The Post Office said it was assessing potential operators, but said the process could take at least six months to complete.

Fisher said the Post Office provided a "crucial service" for the town, and that it is "critical" to have an accessible branch for vulnerable people.

She said the alternative branches that customers have been told to use in the meantime "unsuitable", as they are not within walking distance and are poorly served by public transport.

Chippenham MP Sarah Gibson has said the closure of the branch "represents a significant loss for the whole community".

"It is an essential service relied upon by residents, businesses and some of the most vulnerable people in the town, and its absence will be deeply felt."

Celia Stevens, who spearheaded the campaign to save the branch, said: "The strength of feeling from residents was incredible - it's a busy and well used service and the purpose of the petition was to show that.

"All parties involved need to look at expediting the formal process - including Wiltshire Council who own the property."

A Post Office spokesperson said: "We fully recognise the inconvenience this will cause our customers and small businesses who rely on our banking and parcel services in particular.

"The vacancy has been advertised and we have received many expressions of interest from some retailers and we are now looking more closely at the interest expressed."

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