Bournemouth MP rallies to save “vital" local service at risk of closure
Jessica Toale has launched a petition to save Westbourne Post Office
Efforts to save Westbourne Post Office from closure have ramped up with a Bournemouth MP leading the charge.
It comes after Post Office bosses announced plans to close more than a hundred branches, including the one in Westbourne, and axe nearly a thousand jobs to save money.
MP Jessica Toale said: “People have been writing in and telling us what this post office means to them, it’s widely considered the heart and soul of the community.
“It's a real lynch pin institution on the high street and is responsible for bringing people into Westbourne, who then go use the cafes and look at the shops.”
According to reports, government was consulted on the plans to which ministers explored the possibility of handing ownership of the network to thousands of sub-postmasters across Britain.
Now, the Bournemouth West MP hopes to meet with Post Office bosses and is speaking to the Government ministers responsible for business and trade ahead of the final decision.
She told us: "These services go beyond just posting letters – they are a lifeline for many, in particular for elderly residents who rely on it for banking, paying bills and accessing government services.
“Across the country, banks are closing their doors and leaving high streets so the Post Office has been an essential banking hub for people.”
Thousands have now signed a petition launched by MP Jessica Toale to save the “vital community service”.
MP Toale added: “As well as the Westbourne Post Office being at risk of closure, we also have the franchise branch inside WH Smiths in the town centre closing as well so both of these services going would be absolutely devastating for people who need it.”