Residents gather against post office closure

Dozens turned out at the event in support of the branch run by Derek and Jill Williams.

Over 3,000 people have also signed a petition to telling the Government to rethink its closure plans.

The branch has been earmarked, along with the post office in London Road, to close under proposals to axe 49 offices in Sussex to streamline the service.

A six-week consultation period on the closures started on November 13.

Concerned residents have been asked to appeal to Post Office Ltd to keep the branches open.

Mr Williams said: "The turn out has been excellent. It is more than we expected and it just goes to show the feeling of the local people and the need for a post office to continue trading here.

"They need to change their mind about the closure. There is no reason why it should be closed down, as has been shown by the support of people here today.

"It is part of the community itself. It is not in the town centre where people have to walk and can't park.

"We are going to send pictures of this, along with the petition, to actually show real people use the post office and want to fight against its closure. We can't thank our customers enough."

Ward member for Rother, Cllr Christopher Starnes, said: "I want to thank people for their support and urge them to write to the Post Office and ask questions demanding answers.

"If this post office closes is it the intention to put extra staff on at the Devonshire Square branch and man all the windows there? Are they expected to queue for 35 minutes as opposed to 25 minutes now?

"If they don't get the answers, then write letters to the Bexhill Observer and embarrass the Post Office."

Branch customer Gillian Beecher said: "Getting to the post office in the town centre is very difficult. There is nowhere to park and being old people we won't have cars for much longer."

"Why can't they bring back TV licenses to this post office?" asked local resident Vera Shaw.