North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has launched a petition to save Oswestry Post Office, which is one of 115 larger ‘Crown Branches’ listed as at risk of closure.

The planned closure of the Oswestry Post Office threatens to deprive many residents of easy access to essential postal and banking services, particularly important to older residents, small businesses and those without access to public transportation reliable.

Oswestry Post Office provides essential services to residents, from postal services to bill paying and financial transactions. Above all, it is also the only post office in the region to offer the full range of services intended for businesses.

It comes as banks close more and more branches in market towns, with Barclays in Oswestry closing in 2023 and Halifax set to close its local branch in 2025.

Helen Morgan will meet with representatives of the Post Office in the coming days to make the case for saving the Post Office.

The MP was joined by local Liberal Democrat councilors to launch a petition demonstrating that Oswestry residents “are not prepared to lose another service”.

Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, said:

“Closing the Oswestry Post Office would be a devastating blow to our town. This establishment provides essential services to our residents, particularly the elderly and those who do not have access to a car.

“Asking people to travel further to access basic services would place an unfair burden on some of our most vulnerable residents. I urge the Post Office to listen to community concerns and keep this essential service open to the people of Oswestry and surrounding areas.

“We have launched a community petition to clearly show the depth of support for saving Oswestry Post Office. We need to show that this is an issue that residents care about and that we are not willing to lose another service.

Oswestry Town Councilor James Owen added:

“Our Post Office is a lifeline for many people in Oswestry. It not only provides postal services, but also supports our small businesses and helps maintain a sense of community. Losing it would impact everyone from families to elderly residents to local business owners.

“We must ensure that Oswestry retains access to these crucial services, and I look forward to presenting a petition to show that residents care deeply about this issue.” »

The petition can be signed online here.