Post office closures

Nick has been actively supporting local communities in their fight against post office closures.

In 2006, campaigners against post office closures handed in a petition to Number 10 Downing Street signed by 4 million people. Nick signed the petition and, a few weeks later, intervened in a Commons debate on the issue.

In spite of widespread opposition, the Government announced that 2,500 post offices across the country would be closed, in addition to the 4,000 branches closed since the Government came to power in 1997 - a quarter of the entire network.

In November 2007, Post Office Ltd announced that 49 post offices across Sussex would close as part of the national closure programme - including branches in Washington and Slindon - subject to a six-week public consultation which ended on Christmas Eve 2007.

Nick responded formally to the consultation to oppose the closures in his constituency, has provided advice and support to local campaigners in Washington and Slindon, met with senior executives from Post Office Ltd at the House of Commons and helped to publicise the issue in the local media.

Following the public consultation, Post Office Ltd announced its final decision on 29 January 2008. In the face of vocal and united opposition from local residents, councils and MPs across Sussex, Post Office Ltd decided to close all 49 branches, before proceeding with yet another round of closures in the County.

Nick will continue to argue strongly for post office branches to be retained in our rural communities. He believes that they are a focal point for village life and should be given the opportunity to provide a wider range of products and services, so as to make them more viable. Nick believes that services should remain local and accessible.