Pub backs campaign to save post office

WORRIED residents have launched a campaign to secure the future of a post office branch they fear is at risk of closure.

Campaigners have been signing up to a petition to keep open the branch in the Werrington Centre, following the resignation of its subpostmaster and reports its current home, newsagents Newsplus Group, is to close.

Post Office managers have pledged to keep a service in the area.

But members of the public have rallied to show the strength of feeling on the subject, with a neighbouring pub landlord even offering his premises as a possible new home for the post office

Andy Simmonds, who runs The Ploughman pub at the centre, said he has approached the Post Office with an offer to convert part of the pub into a branch to keep a service in the area. The pub itself is earmarked for demolition by Tesco, but has been delivered a stay of execution for now.

He said: “I want to offer the post office a home. I will not see it close.”

The pub is one of a number of lo- cal businesses where the petition can be signed and Mr Simmonds said more than 100 signatures have been collected in a matter of days.

He called on Tesco, owners of the Werrington Centre, to find space for a branch.

He said: “They should be doing everything they can to guarantee and sustain this community service.”

The campaign has been backed by members of Peterborough City Council for Werrington North.

Cllr John Fox said: “We can’t afford to lose it.”

Cllr Steve Lane added: “A wellsupported petition will at least prove the need from our community point of view.

“We expect that Post Office Ltd would welcome a new sub-postmaster and all the stops need pulling out to find one.”

Spokesmen for Tesco and Newsplus Group were unavailable to comment,

A Post Office spokesman said it was committed to retaining a service in the area and was exploring a number of options.

new home?: The Ploughman could house a Post Office, says landlord Andy Simmonds.