TALKS over the future of Wokingham’s historic Post Office have been described as “a con not a consultation.”
It comes as a letter seen by The Wokingham Paper confirmed Post Office bosses have already decided to move the service to WH Smith in Market Place.
Consultation with the public will be limited to access and design of the kiosk inside the shop but not on whether the Broad Street premises should remain open.
That decision has been criticised by Cllr Andy Croy who has launched a petition urging the Post Office to keep Wokingham’s Crown Post Office open in its current location.
“The so-called consultation is nothing more than a con,” he said. “If they wanted a simple consultation they should have started with the obvious question: Do you want Wokingham’s Crown Post Office to close?
“We know from talking to residents what the response would be. We are very, very close to a downgrading of the services and character of Wokingham town centre.
“Residents get it. That’s why 3,500 residents have signed the petition and it’s why they are literally queuing to sign it every time we go out.”
Cllr Croy described the Broad Street building as a “symbol of civic pride and identity” and urged John Redwood MP to step in and halt the closure.
“The Post Office is a Ltd company owned by the state. The Under-Secretary for postal services is Kelly Tolhurst MP and John Redwood needs to intervene at this level.
“Iain Duncan-Smith successfully intervened when his local Crown Post Office was threatened with closure. There is no reason why John Redwood cannot.”
In a two-page letter to Cllr Philip Mirfin, Executive Member for Regeneration at WBC, the Post Office described the proposed move to WH Smith as part of a nationwide strategy due to “unprecedented change on high streets and consumer trends”.
It added: “We are not seeking feedback, however, on the principle of franchising a branch. The change of management from a branch operated by Post Office directly to one that is operated by a retail partner is a commercial decision, and we believe it is the right one in order to sustain Post Office services in communities.”
The letter, signed by Roger Gail, Network and Sales Director, explains consultation will focus on “customer access to, into and inside the new or alternative branch/branches with particular regard to vulnerable customers”.
It would also seek views on “any local community issues which could be affected by or affect the proposal”.
Cllr Croy said the closure of the Broad Street building would be devastating or Wokingham.
“If the counter services end, it would only be a matter of time before the sorting office and parcel collection service are also moved.
“It would mean people having to drive to an industrial site in Molly Millars Lane or Winnersh Triangle. The current site would then probably be converted into a coffee shop. We have plenty of coffee shops in Wokingham. We do not need any more. We need our Post Office kept where it is.”
Cllr Stuart Munro, Executive Member for Business & Economic Development, said: “Cllr Philip Mirfin wrote a letter to the Post Office seeking assurances around the branch in Wokingham. We have received a response from the Post Office, and we are currently considering its implications.”
