A campaign has been launched to save the post office in Wolverham.

The Post Office says it has been consulting on a proposal the branch at 68 Milton Road should be modernised.

But that consultation has been withdrawn as views are now to be sought on a move to larger premises at McColls in the same parade.

One of the new style local branches would be installed.

MP Justin Madders (Lab) and Ellesmere Port Town ward councillors Lynn Clare and Jess Crook (Lab) have teamed up to launch a petition.

'Cost-cutting exercise'

Mr Madders said: “We have launched this campaign in response to local residents who are concerned that this is actually just a cost-cutting exercise by the Post Office which will lead to a reduction in service in the area.

“What was particularly disappointing was that the original proposals advertised by the Post Office made no mention of them moving from the current location.

“I am pleased that following representations from myself they will be reissuing the documentation to make this clear.”

He added: “Local people want to keep this vital local service and do not want an empty shop on the parade which may lead to vandalism in the area.

“There has been such a lot of improvement with new shops and houses by the Wolverham roundabout in recent years, we don’t want to see more and more empty shops cropping up.

“Local people are also concerned that they will not have the full range of services now available to them and there is little space to be served properly if the post office is integrated into another store.”

Strength of feeling

He believes the petition will show the strength of feeling in Wolverham against the closure of the existing post office.

Local residents and users of the branch can sign the petition when they next visit the shops.

The Post Office has not yet said when the new consultation will begin.

In a letter to customers it said it was talking to the operator about making changes as part of its move to make branches more modern and convenient for customers and the postmasters/operators that run them.

The new-style local branches offer Post Office services from a low-screened, open plan style service point integrated into a shop’s own counter.

Opening hours are longer with 6am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 7am to 10pm on Sundays mentioned.

Post Office and shop customers queue together but the Post Office service point is clearly signed.

The low level serving screen is said to help privacy and there would be enough space for people to wait back from those being served.

The Post Office says the new style branches are designed to handle straightforward transactions which can be carried out quickly and efficiently.

Most of the current Post Office products and services would be available.