Residents angry at latest threat to local post office

Westbourne Post Office is one of 115 to be listed as at risk of being franchised

Bournemouth residents are up in arms about the latest threat to their local Post Office.

More than 100 branches, including Westbourne in Bournemouth, are among those being considered for franchising by the Post Office.

The nearest alternative is currently WH Smith, Christchurch Road, in Bournemouth town centre - but that is closing in January.

Jessica Toale, Labour MP for Bournemouth West, has now launched a petition to save Westbourne Post Office.

MP Jessica Toale said the post office services went "above and beyond" posting letters

The MP said: “These services go beyond just posting letters – they are a lifeline for many.

"For elderly residents who rely on it for paying bills or withdrawing cash, for local businesses who use it daily for banking and postage, for local families wanting foreign currency, or to send letters to family and friends abroad.”

Ms Toale said there was no other Post Office in walking distance which means it's "important" to save the Westbourne branch.

She added: "The decision to include the Westbourne Post Office on the list of branches at risk of closure was made with no prior consultation or input from those who depend on it daily."

Jane Kempton said she has signed the petition

Jane Kempton, from Talbot Woods, is one of the residents who has signed the petition.

She said Westbourne Post Office was "very popular" and she "wants it saved".

Ms Kempton added: "Where do the old people go to get their pensions? Not everyone's got a bank account so it is needed and it's a well-used post office.

"Everyone's just so friendly and lovely. It'd be very sad if it went."

Fellow resident David Medina, from Bournemouth, said: "The whole of Westbourne is alive to it, and we're absolutely shocked. Something's got to be done.

"I've been using this branch since I was a boy. You very rarely, at any time of the year, go in there and walk straight to the counter. You have to queue.

"It would be a big problem if the branch were to close."

David Medina says he uses Westbourne Post Office daily

So far Ms Toale's petition has gained 500 signatures and she plans to share the views of residents with the Post Office and government ministers in the hope of saving an "iconic" branch.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “We are considering a range of options to reduce our central costs.

"This includes considering the future of our remaining Directly Managed Branches (DMBs), which are loss-making. We have long held a publicly-stated ambition to move to a fully franchised network and we are in dialogue with the unions about future options for the DMBs.”

The spokesperson confirmed customers would be directed to Landsdowne Post Office after the WH Smiths branch in Bournemouth town centre closes in January.