Post Office bosses come face to face with the Alton public tonight (Wednesday) to explain their controversial decision to shut the town's main branch.
The Post Office in High Street is due to close in August, to be replaced with counters at the WH Smith’s store in Westbroke Walk.
The move angered Alton Town Council, who felt incensed that the decision was taken without adequate public consultat
ion.
Members agreed that Post Office chiefs should come to Alton to explain themselves directly to local residents, so the meeting was duly arranged.
Alton Town Council leader David Willoughby said: “I am pleased that we have at last been able to pin the Post Office down and get them to agree to send some representatives.
“The limited official consultation amounts to nothing more than window dressing, as the public has only been invited to comment on such things as opening hours, accessibility and services on offer.
“However it is the basic decision itself which astounds Altonians and upon which we seek a properly reasoned response.”
He said he appreciated businesses needed to change in the modern world, but it appeared that Alton was one of several towns earmarked to suffer as a result of government legislation.
Cllr Willoughby said: “Show us the figures for Alton.
“No one here is persuaded that an office that has in the last few years taken on the work of two closed sub-offices and has a near permanent long queue can be squeezed into WH Smith’s.”
He said there was no parking outside and the store is reached via a slope, making it difficult for the disabled.
Cllr Willoughby added: “I feel sure that the message from Altonians to the Post Office will be a definite ‘please go away and think again.’”
The public meeting will take place at the Alton Assembly Rooms from 7pm.
