MP Daisy Cooper fights to save St Peter's Street Post Office

Last week, the long-standing St Peter's Street Post Office was spotted amid a long list of mailing branches to be closed in company cuts and franchising plans.

Sky broke the news to the public and the politicians, leaving many in the dark as to whether there will be a consultation process or strategy behind the Post Office closures.

From left to right: Jacqui Taylor (St Peter's District Cllr), Daisy Cooper (MP for St Albans), Jojo Godfrey (Candidate for County Council in St Albans Central) and Chris White (County Cllr for St Albans Central) outside the St Peter's Street Post Office. (Image: Ollie Cotena)The St Albans political colleagues could not believe the "out of the blue" news of the potential closure.

MP Daisy Cooper said: "I think many people are really angry about this announcement. It's a  valuable service and we often see queues of people right out the door and round the corner.

"I've already written to the secretary of state and said that it's completely unacceptable that this has even been considered.

"We are absolutely clear we want to fight this tooth and nail, and the government should not be closing our Post Office."

The MP is fighting the case in parliament alongside 25-30 councillors from across the country and political spectrum - all defending their post office branches.

St Albans central candidate JoJo Godfrey was "really concerned" about the impact a closure could have, particularly with regard to "vulnerable people and businesses" just like her parents who frequently use the post office to send cards to relatives globally.

The group were also "sceptical" about the possibility of franchising the service with County Cllr Chris White labelling the decision as "perverse" and "unintelligent." 

"The district council, local members and MPs all need to be involved in the decision," Cllr White said. 

"At the moment it looks like the wrong decision and one that has not been made for intelligent reasons."

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According to MP Cooper, the next step is to "question" the decision in parliament.

She added: "This has been announced and it has raised more questions than answers.

"We don't know if there's going to be a genuine consultation, and who's going to be consulted?

"Is this a decision that's going to be made by the Post Office alone or is there any role for the Secretary of State? These will all be raised."

St Albans MP Daisy Cooper speaking in Parliament (Image: Parliament TV) The MP also called for an "impact assessment" for older and more vulnerable people before closures are finalised.

In December, the Post Office will allegedly be going to parliament to discuss the situation with MPs.

For now, St Albans politicians are appealing for the public's help, asking those wanting to save the St Peter's Street branch to sign this petition: https://www.stalbanslibdems.org.uk/campaigns/petition-to-save-our-post-office?emci=13ae3b11-05a8-ef11-88d0-6045bdd62db6&emdi=3170ef16-23a8-ef11-88d0-6045bdd62db6&ceid=1270805

The Post Office has been contacted for comment.