Fight to save post office

Last week 41 Sussex post offices were closed in the latest round of costcutting.

But the post office at Landport Stores, Lee Road, was one of only eight branches given a temporary reprieve.

Postwatch, an independent watchdog for the industry, lobbied Post Office Ltd to carry out a review into its future and is campaigning to keep the Landport post office open.

This is good news for the hundreds of people who signed a petition to save the branch. They say the closure would cause hardship to many people living on the estate and create massive queues at the town's remaining branch in the High Street.

In a letter to Post Office Ltd, Postwatch outlines its case for the retention of Landport. It stated: 'Postwatch opposes the closure of Landport.

'This post office is situated in a large, densely populated council estate isolated from the rest of Lewes.

'The post office is situated in the only shop on the estate which is reliant on post office trade.

'This is a relatively deprived population where 32 per cent of the population do not own cars and according to a recent Lewes Economic Group Survey 40 per cent are pensioners, 25 per cent claim income support and 17 per cent claim Disability Living Allowance.

'There is a steep uphill walk to the main road then nearly a one mile walk into Lewes.'

Postwatch also agreed the closure of Landport post office would lead to huge queues at the branch in the High Street.

It said: 'Although the Lewes Crown Office has sufficient counters to deal with the additional business, it is a very small building, which cannot contain large numbers of customers.

'Customers report that queues are frequently out the door.

'Postwatch believes that the residents of Landport will be exceptionally disadvantaged if the Post Office closes.'

Post Office Ltd has not said exactly how long the review will last and Postwatch is currently working with campaigners to compile a full report which fights Landport's case.