BROMSGROVE MP Sajid Javid has met with Post Office bosses to discuss the future of the town’s crown branch on the High Street.
Mr Javid also presented a petition featuring hundreds of names, calling on the Post Office to leave the counter where it is.
Bromsgrove’s main branch is one of 42 in the UK identified as loss-making and the franchise has now been offered to another town centre retailer so the current building can be sold on.
Mr Javid said: “Post Office Ltd. were resolute there’s no room to change their minds on this commercial decision.
“My priority is to find the best result for residents.
“We need good access to our post service and no one wants an empty shop on the High Street.
“I pushed for all possible options to be considered.”
Mr Javid also brought up issues regarding access for wheelchairs and pushchairs, as well as queueing space and was given the guarantee that there will be no compulsory redundancies and that any new arrangement must offer full access for disabled residents.
A spokesperson for the Post Office said they welcomed the chance to speak with Mr Javid about the concerns voiced by residents.
“We know that keeping Post Office branches on high streets and at the heart of communities is hugely importantly to people and the reason we are looking at potentially franchising Bromsgrove Crown Post Office is to help us to do this.
“We need to operate more cost-effectively so that services are protected into the future – we cannot look to the taxpayer to subsidise our Crown Post Office branches.
“We are addressing the same challenges as other high street businesses including fast-changing customer needs and rising costs such as property.”
She added when the detailed proposal had been finalised, the organisation would tell its affected staff and there would then be a six-week public consultation on the proposals so customers can convey their views on the proposed location and other aspects of the plan before a final decision was made.
“The vast majority of our Post Office branches are already run on a franchise or agency basis,” she added.
