Theresa May weighs in on Maidenhead Post Office debate as petition is launched

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The directly-managed Crown branch, at 114 High Street, was among a list of 42 released last week whose future is up for consultation.

Of those, 39 of them, including Maidenhead, are to be offered for a franchise to takeover.

Since then, the office of the Maidenhead MP has confirmed she has written to the Post Office, requesting more information about the plans.

In particular, Mrs May has asked for an assurance that ‘there will be safeguards in place to ensure that the current services and facilities are well maintained’.

Since the news broke, the reason for Maidenhead being placed on the list has not been made public, nor what would happen in the event that a franchise partner could not be found.

Mrs May added she has asked for more information so that ‘residents can have greater confidence in the process’.

In a statement, she said: “It’s important that the Post Office services people rely on are protected, and that local residents and businesses continue to have full access to the facilities they need.

“I would like more information from the Post Office as to the safeguards that will be in place to protect our services in the long-term if the franchising option goes ahead.

“At a time when Maidenhead town centre is moving forward we must not lose an important service.”

A petition has been launched by the Royal Borough branch of the Liberal Democrats to oppose any closure of the branch.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Pinkneys Green, Simon Werner, warned against any plans to scale back the service or move it into another store.

He said: “This is an incredibly busy post office. To think of closing it or even putting it in the back of the already smaller WH Smith, would effectively take away this vital facility for local people.”

Conservative councillors have written to the Post Office’s chief executive officer, asking why the branch has been chosen for franchise or closure.
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