Latest News (updated 22nd Jan 2008).

The post office will close - the final decision has been made, and we will lose a valuable asset to the community in late April. The shop will continue to trade, and supplemental sources of income will be investigated - whatever happens and however it changes, Willingdon post office will continue to need your support and custom in order to survive.

It is intended to keep the shop open - so please keep using it. Post Office Ltd may not value your custom, but Willingdon Post Office does!

The public meeting on the 14th December was packed - over 260 people filled the Church Hall and put their points to members of the Post Office Consultation team. Valid points were raised about the Post Office interpretation of the bus service to the village, but ultimately the arguments against closure have been dismissed. A huge thank you to everyone who was there, and thank you to those who sent letters of support even though they were unable to attend.

Our MEPs may still be worth writing to. The whole post office closure plan hangs on the EU approving state funding for the compensation package - if the EU refuse permission, then the closures will not go ahead. If we can convince our MEPs to oppose the plan for state funding, and if they can convince their European partners that the closures are against the will of the people, then perhaps the whole process can be stopped.

Click here for the contact details of MEPs in the South East

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meridian TV were at the post office on the 13th November to interview Andrea and customers - the full report was shown on Meridian Tonight. (There was a brief version on the lunch time news, which you can download via the links below).

Click here to download the full report (for broadband users)

Click here to download the short report (for broadband users)

Click here to download the short report (for dial up users)

We received 100 letters of support addressed to the campaign, and Nigel Waterson received a similar number - your letters of support were greatly appreciated - it just shows how well loved Willingdon post office is.

Milly Jeffries (aged 9) and her brother Matthew (aged 7) drew some posters for the campaign - it was great to see that even the youngest members of our community felt strongly opposed to the closure plans.

All that is left to say is thank you to you all for your support with the campaign to keep the post office open. Please continue to use the branch for as long as you can, and please support the shop in whatever form it may take after the closure of the post office. Willingdon is OUR village - don't let Post Office Ltd's decision have a detrimental affect on our community!