Hundreds calling for return of post office
Hundreds of people have backed a campaign to bring back a post office which closed five years ago.
Francis Street post office, in Stoneygate, Leicester, was closed in 2007.
The building is a newsagent's, Ram News, and owner Harish Amlani is leading the campaign to get the post office counter back.
His petition has 300 gained signatures in a week. He hopes to get 2,000.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
Mr Amlani said: "The post office is needed by the whole community. People want it.
"It's a viable business and we've still got the counter if they did reopen it."
Janet Covington, 82, of Kingsway Road, said: "Losing the post office has affected the whole shopping area because people don't come here as much.
"The post office was the backbone of the community and there were always customers at the counter."
Nancy Oliver, of Stoneygate Road, who is also in her 80s, said: "I used the post office every week and it was always busy."
Howard Wilson, 62, of Stoughton Road said: "Having to go elsewhere is a huge inconvenience."
An 84-year-old shopper said: "I'm reliant on my mobility scooter.
"The nearest post office is 25 minutes away and if it's windy or bad weather I can't go."
Am Vadhesha, who owns Beauaesthetica cosmetics, in Allandale Road, said: "It's a nightmare without a post office.
"We send parcels to customers all the time and we have to drive to Evington and try to find somewhere to park and it's a lot of hassle.
MP Jon Ashworth has said he will present the petition to Parliament and then hand it on to the Post Office.
He said: "I've lobbied the Post Office about the need for an office in Francis Street. I've again recently written to the Post Office and I am supporting Mr Amlani's campaign."
A Post Office spokesman said: "There are no current plans to reopen a branch in Francis Street.
There are 39 branches in Leicester, three within a mile of Francis Street.
"Customers in Leicester can also expect to see some transformed post offices over the next few months providing modern, open-plan branches with longer opening times."
To sign the petition, search for "Francis Street Post Office" at:
www.thepetitionsite.com
Comments
by simonnewparks
Thursday, February 14 2013, 5:59PM
“I would applaud reopening Francis Street Post Office - It doesn't necessarily have to be on the same premises, any of the closed shops in Allandale/Francis Street could accomodate it. This would not only bring in extra income for our council but also reduce our unemployment figures.”