Sarah Champion MP Urges Post Office to Retain Rotherham’s Crown Post Office Branch

Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, has criticised Post Office Ltd.’s decision to move to a franchised model, placing Rotherham’s Crown Post Office branch at risk. Crown Post Offices are directly managed by Post Office Ltd. and offer a full range of Government services, such as passport applications, vehicle tax and driving licence renewals. Post Office Ltd. has announced that it is to move to a franchised model, with Crown Post Offices replaced with a franchised branch, potentially at a different site. 

Sarah wrote to Post Office Ltd. in November last year following the announcement that closure of the branch was under consideration arguing that the branch should be retained. However, this week, Post Office Ltd. confirmed it intends to move to a fully franchised model.

Commenting, Sarah said:

“Rotherham’s Crown Post Office branch offers vital services and is relied upon by people in our town. With businesses increasingly cutting their high street presence, Post Offices have become ever more vital community hubs, providing many services, such as in person banking, that would otherwise be out of reach for many.’

Sarah has written to both Neil Brocklehurst, Post Office Ltd.’s Acting Chief Executive and Gareth Thomas, the Minister for Services, highlighting the branch’s importance and urging for it to be saved.

Sarah said:

“I am very clear that the best possible option for my constituents is for the existing branch to be saved and have called on Post Office Ltd. to do so. However, should they proceed with closure, it is essential that any replacement franchise offers a full range of Government services and is centrally located in Rotherham town centre.

‘Many of my constituents, particularly older people would be left unable to access vital services if they cannot do so at a Post Office branch. With public transport links sorely lacking, any move away from the town centre would be unthinkable.’

‘I have urged Post Office Ltd. and the Government to safeguard this vital resource and will continue to fight to ensure my constituents can access the services on which they depend.”  

Sarah’s letter to the Gareth Thomas is HERE

Sarah’s letter to Post Office Lts. is HERE

ENDS

Notes to Editors: