PEOPLE living in Melksham have been given the opportunity to join the fight against the town’s post office being franchised by signing a local petition.
Campaigners argue that your support is needed urgently as the Post Office say the facility could move into a shop as early as next April.
UKIP candidates, supporters and volunteers have launched a campaign to save Melksham Post Office by hand delivering over 12,000 petitions covering every house in Melksham. The petition offers residents the opportunity to sign and return the form to Jo Swinson, the Postal Minister.
Melksham Without Councillor, Paul Carter who assisted with the delivering of petitions said, “I think it is important the community get their chance to object to the plans and save the post office.
“Everyone who has delivered the petitions are volunteers and deserve a great deal of credit for giving their time to help. The response from the residents of Melksham whilst on the rounds has been positive so I am hopeful lots of people will sign and send the petition to Jo Swinson.”
The petition comes as news has emerged that Melksham’s main post office could move into a shop as early as next April. The announcement was made by Laura Tarling, the Post Office’s senior stakeholder manager in a letter to the town council. She said, “Whilst it is not possible to be specific about precise timescales, I am now able to give you an indication of when, all being well and subject to consultation, we expect to be in a position to convert the branch in Melksham to a retail partner. We believe this will happen in the next financial year.”
At a public meeting held at the Assembly Hall in August the Post Office confirmed there had been interest from retailers about housing the town post office within their premises. The decision to relocate has caused outrage and concern for many local people.