Major consultation event to discuss Post Office proposals

A major event will take place on Wednesday (21 May) to debate the plight of Shropshire’s post offices.

The consultation meeting will be an opportunity for councillors and local communities to put their case to Post Office managers about plans to close 12 branches and replace a further 12 with “outreach” services.

The meeting will take place in the Council Chamber at Shropshire County Council’s Shirehall on Wednesday (21 May) starting at 6.30pm. It will be open to all county and district councillors, representatives from parish and town councils, and representatives of local post office action groups.

Shropshire County Council’s cabinet will also meet on Wednesday at 10.00am to discuss the impact of the proposals, and ways in which the council can help to support the case for a better deal for Shropshire's post offices.

Councillors will also be asked to approve a range of actions to help recovery in the communities that do lose their post offices, and to look at how retail services in Shropshire’s villages can be encouraged in the future.

Councillor John Hurst-Knight, cabinet member for economy, said: “We have until the end of the consultation period on 9 June to make our views known, so there is still time. It is very important that people come to the meeting at 6.30pm on Wednesday and put their points to members of the Post Office. We need to tell them about our local post offices and why they are so important.”

19 May 2008