MP joins the fight to save Littlehampton post office

This week has seen Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Nick Gibb join that battle to stop the planned move of the outlet, which he noted was “an important local landmark” in The Arcade.

But it has not just been locals who have been signing their names to the petition list following the latest rallying cry on Saturday (April 20), in High Street.

The campaign has acquired its first overseas supporters, a husband and wife duo from France – who own their own post office.

French couple Eric and Florence Dewale, of Marseille, showed their sympathies for the plight of the The Arcade’s branch.

The husband-and-wife duo both work in a French post office in the city and took no time in adding their names to the petition, despite only visiting the town for a day and living hundreds of miles away.

Florence, 50, said: “In France we have a similar problem. They want to close post offices in many towns and villages.

“Post offices are very important to people in these areas so that’s why we supported the petition today.”

The Post Office confirmed last month that Littlehampton’s was one of 70 Crown branches identified as having the potential to move into premises shared with “partners”.

Speaking about the campaign, Mr Gibb said: “The Littlehampton Post Office, located as it is in The Arcade, is an important local landmark, providing important services to people.

“It is a busy and well-used Crown office so moving it into another retailer would cause congestion and queues and would be unacceptable to most people in Littlehampton.

“I have asked to meet Post Office Limited as a matter of urgency to urge them to reconsider any proposal that moves Littlehampton’s Crown post office out of The Arcade or into another shop. The campaign to save Littlehampton Post Office has my full support.”

People ‘incensed’

Labour Ham ward councillor Mike Northeast was one of those rallying townsfolk to support the petition, which saw around 400 people signing in about two hours.

“It was non-stop,” he said. “People are so incensed by it all.

“They can see that a way of life in Littlehampton is under threat and they are taking action.

“And it just shows that it doesn’t matter where you’re from. Post offices are a vital resource and an integral part of the community, here and overseas.”

It is hoped that with Mr Gibb’s support, the issue might be raised in the Commons.