MP says shut PO could still be saved

A Shropshire post office which closed this week could still be saved - if county council chiefs set up an outreach centre near the branch, it was claimed today.Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski and county councillor Alan Mosley are hoping to get support from Shropshire County Council to persuade Post Office bosses to reverse their decision and reopen the branch in Ditherington, Shrewsbury.

Mr Kawczynski said there could be a possibility of persuading Post Office Ltd to reverse its decision, if the county council sets up a community access point in Ditherington.

Campaigners say the branch is vital for residents as Ditherington is a deprived area with some vulnerable residents, while there is a concern that the closure of the post office will have a negative impact on trade for nearby businesses.

Councillor Mosley and Mr Kawczynski met with county council representatives yesterday.

Mr Kawczynski said: “We asked them to consider having one of their community access points in the shopping mall in Ditherington.

“It could be just what we need to convince the Post Office to reverse their decision.”

About £20,000 a year will be needed to subsidise the branch’s costs and Mr Kawczynski and Councillor Mosley were hoping to persuade council chiefs to help provide funding.