BOROUGH MP Andrew Miller has reopened the argument over the closure of the town centre’s main post office in Marina Walk.

Its axing in summer 2006 – to be replaced by a branch within the new Asda store – enraged many.

Now Mr Miller has again told postal chiefs it should never have been shut, as the replacement at Asda doesn’t have enough counters or staff to cope with the huge demand from customers.

Mr Miller restated his closure argument when he was consulted by Post Office bosses over their latest round of branch closures announced last week.

He told them they should have instead helped Marina Walk become a more successful business.

Last week, the Post Office confirmed plans to close the Parkgate branch.

In previous years it shut the ones in Whitby and Station Road, Ellesmere Port as well as the Crown office.

Mr Miller said: “I had a meeting with the Post Office and started off by saying they were having the third bite of the cherry in Ellesmere Port & Neston.

“Whatever the merits of the first bite – the closures in Westminster and Whitby – they were wrong the second time with the Crown office.

“For proof, just go and look at the queues in Asda’s post office now. They have not got enough counters or trained staff. I don’t blame Asda for this.

“If the Crown office had been given more time by the management to provide other goods and services, it would have been a more successful business. Asda has demonstrated that.

“I’m pretty certain Asda is making a better fist of it and turnover has increased.”

Mr Miller said sub-postmasters running the borough’s remaining small post offices should be able to diversify to keep their businesses profitable.

“They are self-employed small businesspeople and there should be no constraints on any other products they want to sell.

“I’d expect them as local entrepreneurs to understand the business needs of the community far better than the Post Office 200 miles away in London.

“So I shall continue to make these representations to the Post Office,” he added.

Mr Miller said he received no representations from the owner of Parkgate post office about its closure, scheduled in the next few weeks, but was happy that offices in Neston and Little Neston will remain open.