James Cunningham

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Justify the post office closure, MP Jim tells bosses

JIM Cunningham MP (Coventry South) today told Post Office bosses to justify their proposals to close the Hertford Street branch.

Post Office Ltd announced last month that Coventry’s Crown branch, which is more than 100 years old, was one of 70 across the country which will be moved into stand-alone units in WH Smith.

Mr Cunningham met with Post Office managing director Alan Cook and head of external relations Mike Dalton to discuss the issue at the House of Commons.

Mr Cunningham sought assurances on what the switch would mean for workers at the Hertford Street post office and also the quality of service to the public.

Also discussed was the possible closure of Coventry’s mail sorting centre in Bishop Street.

Mr Cunningham said: “I was interested to hear about the national challenges the Post Office faces in the months and years ahead.

“But what I am most concerned about is how Coventry will be affected by those challenges.

“On that note I stressed the importance of protecting jobs and also the quality of the service to the public.

“The upshot of the meeting is that I have demanded to know from the Post Office what the justification is for the proposals on a financial level, specifically relating to Coventry.

“The Post Office management promised to get back to me shortly with the details and I look forward to hearing what they have to say.”