Call to reopen Leicester post office

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More than 1,600 people have supported a call to reopen a post office in a busy shopping area of the Leicester.

Francis Street's post office closed in 2008, leaving pensioners angry and businesses in Francis Street and Allendale Road having to travel to Clarendon Park to deliver parcels.

Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth yesterday received a petition from people calling for it to be reopened.

Harish Amlani owns Ram News, where the disused post office counter still stands.

He said: "Since I've been here I've asked the Post Office to reinstate the counter, but they say it would take business away from post offices in Oadby and Queen's Road, Clarendon Park.

"I think opening the counter here would be very good for the local economy and the elderly are crying out for it.

"The petition was available to sign in the shop and it was also taken door-to-door. We now have about 1,600 signatures."

Mr Ashworth has pledged his support, despite already having had his attempts to get it reopened turned down.

He said: "There's no guarantee this petition will lead to the reopening of Francis Street's post office, but at least we can demonstrate there is a lot of support for the campaign. Hopefully, we'll have some success."

Among those who signed the petition is Janet Covington, 82, of Kingsway Road.

She said: "Losing the post office has affected the whole shopping area because people don't come here as much.

"The post office was the backbone of the community."

Am Vadhesha, who owns Beau Aesthetica cosmetics, in Allandale Road, said: "It's a nightmare without a post office.

"We send parcels to customers all the time and we have to drive to Evington and try to find somewhere to park and it's a lot of hassle."
A Post Office spokesman said there were no current plans to reopen the branch.