But it doesn't have to be this way says Alan Duncan MP in visit to Winchester.
There are currently 21 sub-post offices in the Winchester constituency area.
Three are proposed for closure under the Network Change Programme; Shawford Post Office at Shawford Parish Hall, Littleton Post Office and Chandler’s Ford Post Office in Bournemouth Road.
The programme will see 2,500 closures across the UK by next year as part of Government plans to 'modernise' the service.
One branch in Winchester is proposed for replacement with outreach services; Micheldever Post Office.
Speaking on a visit to Winchester, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, Alan Duncan MP, said:
“I pay tribute to the persistent lobbying undertaken by Steve Brine and local people on behalf of this area. There is little doubt their efforts were key in driving down the number of proposed closures in Winchester and surrounding villages. The wider point however, is that it doesn’t have to be this way. Instead of managing decline, Ministers should be trying to bring new business opportunities to the post office network to increase its financial viability.
“Post Office customers in Littleton, Micheldever, Shawford and Chandler’s Ford are facing a reduction in service because the Government has no long-term vision for the future of the network. A conservative government would put an end to the compulsory closure of profitable sub post offices and continue to investigate new ways of bringing additional business to the postal service."
Prospective Winchester MP, Steve Brine, added; “Any closures in this area will be a great loss to their communities, even at this eleventh hour I would urge local people to write in support of their services.”
You can still write, by November 26, to Tim Nickolls, Network Development Manager, Post Office Ltd consultation@postoffice.co.uk