Lib Dems Force Post Office Debate

5.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 22nd Jul 2003

Lib Dem Councillors in Brent have forced the Labour run Council to debate the effect of Post Office closures in our area.

Several Brent Post Offices are set to be axed including the Gladstone Parade Post Office which closes in early August. The Lib Dem motion to the Council calls on the Council and local MPs to play their part in the fight to stop closures.

Lib Dem Councillor Vijaykumar Shah said, "Closing these local branches hits vulnerable people most. The walk to other branches suggested is often over a mile."

Damage to local businesses

Local Lib Dems are very concerned at the effect of Post Office closures on local businesses. All of the Post Offices threatened so far have been run by Asian traders and have helped support local shopping parades.

Local campaigner Sarah Teather said, "The closures will damage our community and will also threaten the viability of other shops in the area. We will continue to fight every Post Office closure very hard indeed."