1,000 sign Willenhall post office petition
More than 1,000 signatures have been gathered in less than a week against controversial plans to close a Black Country post office.
Campaigners say proposals to close Willenhall post office in John Street could be the "last nail in the coffin" for the town centre's economy.
The Post Office announced plans earlier this month to find "retail partners" for 70 of its branches to move into, including Willenhall, Cannock and Kidderminster. Bosses have, however, stressed where shops cannot be found, branches will remain open.
Councillor for Willenhall South, Sean Coughlan, said he fears closing the post office in the town "could be the thin end of the wedge".
On Saturday he was joined by Councillor Diane Coughlan, Councillor Carl Creaney, MP David Winnick and concerned residents outside the post office, where they gathered a total of 200 signatures in just two hours.
Mr Coughlan said: "This is currently the consultation process, so we want to influence that consultation and show where we stand and local residents – we're looking to do that with this petition.
"The number of signatures we've had just shows people's concerns. After an article appeared in the Express & Star we had a lot of people coming down specifically just to sign the petition.
And there was a great mixture of people, too – from young families right through to elderly people and businesses.
"I think this reflects what the post office is – it's something everybody uses.
"As councillors we're very concerned that this could be the last nail in the coffin of Willenhall town centre. It could become just another empty unit to be targeted by vandals and criminals.
"It's such a busy post office, a lot of people are very surprised it's even been mentioned as one they're looking to move.
"If Willenhall post office were to close, the local businesses would have to go elsewhere out of town for the service, which would put added pressure on them – it's not just about individuals. And for old age pensioners, going to the post office is part of their social life, seeing the same faces and all the staff know them by name."
There is also an online petition against the post office closure at www.ipetitions.com/petition/willenhallpo/signatures
