Fight re-ignited for post office at Horsham newsagents

Proprietor Ramesh Rasavallavan says there is still a strong feeling among his customers that the branch should have a presence in the St Leonard’s Road area.

The post office left the store after much public consultation in 2008.

“Every day I get five or six customers coming in asking for a post office,” said Mr Rasavallanvan.

“That’s my local community’s wish and I stand by their wishes.

“The community’s wanted it for so long and it wasn’t our decision to have it taken away.”

He has launched a petition on Thursday October 17)and members of the public can show their support by signing it in the store.

Mr Rasavallanvan wants the post office back before the Christmas rush.

He plans to put his petition under the nose of Horsham MP Francis Maude.

“I can’t do this alone,” he continued.

“I need help from the MP and from Horsham District Council.”

He explained there is a need for the post office to be re-instated and said: “I’m doing it for my customers and community, they’ve never let me down and they continue to support me, and I’m still serving them.”

The Post Office said that while there are currently no proposals to re-open a branch in the store, it always keeps plans under review.

A spokesperson for the service said: “We are committed to providing Post Office services for people in Horsham who are served by several branches in the area.

“We always keep our plans under review but there are no current plans to open a branch on St Leonard’s Road.

“This branch was closed in 2008 following a public consultation.”

Mr Rasavallanvan added thanks to his customers who have stood by the store since Tesco Express opened a branch opposite earlier this year.