Local MP gets Co-op commitment to Upton Post office and local residents

11.03.09am GMT Tue 6th Feb 2007

Annette Brooke MP welcomed recent reassurances from the Co-op Chief Executive Guy McCracken over the future of the Upton store and Post Office on Poole Road. She has received confirmation that the store is not closing and will be trading as normal.

"The freehold including the shop is up for sale but all that would happen is that our lease running to 2009 would transfer to the new owner, and we would continue to trade. The lease runs to 2009 at which time if the store continues trading as it is we would look to renewing the lease."

Annette had written asking the Co-op to clarify the local situation amid concerns from local residents about the future of the PO. The change of ownership of the property unfortunately coincided with the Government's announcement of the closure of 2500 more post offices.

"I am pleased to be able to reassure Upton residents, many of whom have written to me or returned our Dorset Post Office petition. It is clear that local people value this shop and their post office and equally that the Co-op values its customers," said Annette.

"I will continue to fight the wider Government cuts to the sub-post office system across the country," she added.