This week local MP Mark Pawsey raised the value of local Post Offices in Parliament following the recent news over the threat to the future of the local branch in the village of Bulkington.
Mark was made aware of the threat to the present Post Office branch in Bulkington last week after news circulated in the village of the decision by the Co-Operative Group, where the branch is situated, to withdraw its franchise.
Local residents were quick to seek the support of their local MP to ensure a branch remained in the village and Mark immediately contacted the Post Office. Following Mark’s intervention the Post Office made a firm commitment to maintain a branch within Bulkington by relocating it to another local retailer.
In the debate in Parliament Mark joined other MPs in calling on the Post Office Ltd to do more to ensure that suitable new sites are found where branches are forced to close. Responding to the concerns raised by MPs in the debate Stephen Barclay MP outlined the Government’s commitment to “protect the 3,000 rural branches” of the Post Office.
Speaking after the debate, where he drew attention to the situation in Bulkington, Mark said:
“It was important to raise the concerns of Bulkington residents in Parliament over the future of their local Post Office. Since news spread of the threat to the present branch many local Bulkington residents got in touch with me to express just how integral the post Office is to life in the village. I have firm commitments from the Post Office that a branch will remain in Bulkington and will continue to do all I can to ensure a new site is located as soon as possible.”
Mark continued:
“The Government has provided a great deal of support for Post Offices across the country, including ensuring that 90% of the UK population lives within 1 mile of a branch, and my constituents can be confident that they will receive that level of support from me as we work together to resolve the situation in Bulkington."