Chells councillors fight to save local Post Office
Royal Mail Group Plc have sent an open letter (available from the Post Office) to the people of Chells telling them about the proposed closure of the Chells Post Office at the Glebe shops. As a Stevenage resident, plese help avert this closure by signing a petition against it.
"This is very bad news for everyone" said local Councillor Ken Vale, "especially young mothers and pensioners. There is not another Post Office for two miles."
Why is this happening?í
The closure of the Chells Post Office is one of a number nationwide, but the first in Stevenage. It has been caused by a combination of the current franchise holder wishing to give up the franchise and Royal Mail Group's policy of local branch closures.
Stevenage Borough Council has a contract with Royal Mail Group Plc which enables people to pay their council tax and rent at local Post Offices to save them the journey to the town centre. Other services like pension and benefit payments are also available at the Chells branch.
The closure means that people will have to travel to the Emperor's Head, the Oval or the Town Centre.
Chells Councillor Jeannette Thomas has said "The Post Office at the Glebe is an important part of the local community. Closure will mean greater inconvenience for all residents and your local Councillors will remain vocal on this issue until Royal Mail Plc changes their position."
Councillor Thomas has organised a petition against the closure as well as enlisting the aid of Stevenage MP Barbara Follett and the other local Chells councillors Sherma Batson, Ken Vale and Pam Stuart. Mrs Follett said, "This simply cannot be allowed to happen. We must fight the closure every inch of the way!"
What can you do to help?í
Sign the petition at local shops and get your friends and family to do so as well. Write to the papers, call the local radio stations and put up posters. Go to the Chells Councillors Street Stall at 10am on Thursday 17th July to meet other concerned residents, sign the petition if you have not already done so and pick up a poster
Issued: 17.07.2003
Further information
Please contact Faye Bunch via the 'Contact' page, or by fax on 020 7219 1158.
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