After leading last year’s campaign to save local post offices in the constituency from closure, and helping to spearhead a Commons Inquiry into Post Office reorganization nationally, I was pleased to open a new sub post office in Longbridge. The new Longbridge Post Office on Bristol Road South replaces a former branch on Edgewood Road and an old one on Bristol Road South. The new branch is located in a general store, linking post office services with other retail activities is key to safeguarding the future of sub post offices.
It is a credit to local residents who campaigned so hard last year that we have been able to retain a local post office to serve the Rednal area of Longbridge. It is great that Mr Singh has come to an agreement with Post Office Ltd to locate the new branch in his general store. I hope that they will complement each other and boost trade in the parade of shops on that part of Bristol Road South. I wish all the best to Mr Singh, the new manager of the post office and all the staff involved in running the new Longbridge Post Office. Local people also have a key role to play. By using this local service regularly they can help safeguard it for the future.