Westminster LibDems launch petition against Soho post office closure

5.55.27pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 24th Jun 2007

Mark's Soho business uses the post office every working day. It's vital to local people and businesses.

Local Liberal Democrats have declared their opposition to plans to close yet another of central London's post offices. It is one of 70 earmarked for closure, with services being relocated to a nearby WHSmith.

The LibDems have launched a petition against the proposed closure of the post office in Soho's Poland Street. The petition is available to sign online at http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/savesohospostoffice

Local LibDem Mark Blackburn, who runs a business in Soho that depends on the Poland Street post office, said: "Both parliamentary constituencies have already lost far too many post offices in recent years.

"The Cities of London and Westminster seat had 28 post offices in 2006, which was down by six from the 34 there were in 1999. In the other constituency, Regents Park and Kensington North, the fall has been even more dramatic - down seven from 16 in 1999 to stand at just nine in 2006."

Mark continued, "Enough is enough. Too many post offices have already closed. The network is being destroyed.

"One has to ask as well - how good a substitute will a member of WHSmith staff be for someone who works full-time in a post office? The quality of service will inevitably decline.

"Please sign the Liberal Democrat petition to save Soho's post office."