The petition of residents of Basingstoke,
Declares that action must be taken concerning the recent closure of Chineham Post Office Branch and the loss of vital services for local residents as a result of the Old Basing PO operator also withdrawing in recent years.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to urge Post Office Ltd, Tellon Capital LLP and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to ensure that Chineham residents have access to vital Post Office services and priority is given to opening a branch as part of the new development at Chineham Shopping Centre.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mrs Maria Miller, Official Report, 15 January 2020; Vol. 669, c. 1120.]
[P002549]
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Paul Scully):
The Government value and recognise the important role that the Post Office plays for communities such as Basingstoke and across the UK. This is why we are committed to safeguarding the Post Office network and protecting existing rural services. Since 2010, the number of branches in the network has been at its most stable for decades, at over 11,500.
While the Post Office is publicly owned, it is a commercial business. The Government set the strategic direction for the Post Office—to maintain a national network accessible to all and to do so more sustainably for the taxpayer—and allows the company the commercial freedom to deliver this strategy as an independent business.
In relation to Chineham Post Office, my officials have sought insight from Post Office Limited (POL). They have informed me that this branch was closed in August 2019 following the resignation of the operator (McColl’s) and withdrawal of premises for Post Office use.
As this is beyond the control of POL, they have assured us that they are continuing to seek a solution for the area and are committed to providing services in Chineham. POL’s local teams continue to look at options which will enable them to restore permanent services to the area. POL explained that some of the steps that they have taken include advertising the opportunity following the resignation of the previous operator. However, POL informed officials that there has been little interest from local retailers. POL continue to engage with potential operators in order to restore services.
Let me assure you that POL is committed to ensuring that the community has access to the services that post office provides. They have informed officials that their External Relations Manager contacted your MP, the right hon. Member for Basingstoke (Maria Miller) on 16 January to confirm that they are seeking a solution and are engaged with a potential new operator. POL will continue to communicate with your MP and the community in relation to any changes as they continue to work to find an alternative operator.
The sustainability and future success of the Post Office network continues to remain of the utmost importance to this Government. We will continue to honour our commitments so that Post Offices’ can thrive and remain at the heart of our rural and urban communities for years to come.