Councillors demand government stop Romsey Post Office closure

The branch was earmarked to shut as part of a raft of closures across the country.

But members of Test Valley Borough Council voted unanimously to write to business minister Justin Madders requesting the government "immediately intervene and protect the Post Office from closure".

In an emotional and at times heated debate on Wednesday, councillor for Romsey Abbey, Nik Daas, also proposed that the council write to the Chief Executive of the Post Office expressing their deep opposition and asking for assurances that the Romsey branch will not be shut.

(Image: Contributed) Cllr Daas has spearheaded a campaign with fellow councillor Sandra Gidley and won hundreds of signatures from people protesting the move. He told the meeting:

“There’s a huge strength of feeling. When we’re out in the town centre, people seek us out to add their names to the petition. As councillors we must do all we can to protect the post office which is a vital service for so many.”

Councillor David Drew, a Conservative, told members: “We’re all in support of this the motion, but it’s essential we ask the Post Office who’s making the decision, why they need to close it and who the final decision maker is?

"I would urge everyone to ask questions of the Post Office, we need to find out how they’re going to deal with this. It’s our duty to the residents to find out what they’re planning on doing, not just express our anger and frustration.”

Councillor Nick Adams-King threw his full support behind the motion, saying: “Shame on the Post Office for doing this. They are increasingly reducing their services. We are left with a situation where people in Romsey and the villages around and about are not only disadvantaged but may be left with a post office they can’t access.”

The move came the same day as the MP for Romsey, Caroline Nokes, described the potential closure as ‘devastating’ for local businesses, elderly residents, and the wider community.