A campaign has been launched to save a Post Office branch in South Bristol that is set to shut as part of sweeping closures. Morrisons announced last week that it will be shuttering five McColl's shops in Bristol, months after it took over the chain of convenience stores this year.
It is part of wider proposals to close 132 locations nationwide, and two councillors have revealed that they are working to save the Post Office adjoining a branch under the threat of closure in their ward. The site, on Hollway Road in Stockwood, is one of 55 loss-making McColl’s stores with a Post Office.
Morrisons has said it will delay closing the sites until the new year to enable them to serve their communities through Christmas and allow for additional time to make alternative arrangements. Eager to secure the future for their local branch, councillors have begun lobbying Bristol City Council, the Post Office and alternative retailers in an effort to ensure that residents are not left without essential community facilities.
Read More McColl's closures: Manager 'devastated' as Bristol stores to close for good
As Stockwood is lacking a brick-and-mortar bank, they say the Hollway Road Post Office is the only place in the local area where residents can access financial services such as depositing cash and cheques. Councillor Jonathan Hucker is one of those demanding that a plan be made to guarantee the branch's survival.
He said: “We have already contacted the council, the Post Office, Morrisons and other retailers to see if we can find a way forward. It is vital that in the last resort, the local authority takes action to support our part of the city and helps us to find a way of retaining this crucial Post Office.”
In a statement, councillor Graham Morris added: “Both Cllr Hucker and I were dismayed by the news of these closures and the implications this would have for local people. The post office branch in the main shopping precinct (adjoining McColl’s) provides many residents, particularly the older members of our community, some essential services.
"This is a huge blow for Stockwood. It is a massive setback to our High Street as businesses try to win back custom lost during the pandemic. Having also secured circa. £150,000 to improve the look and range of activities at Stockwood Shops from Bristol City Council, all that work could be undone by the closure of a much loved and well-used Post Office.”
Responding to concerns about the Hollway Road branch's future, a Post Office spokesperson said: “We regret to confirm that Morrisons has taken the difficult decision to close some McColl’s stores that hosted Post Offices due to the unprofitability of the retail in that store, not helped by the difficult high street conditions facing retailers.
“Morrisons has confirmed that they will keep Stockwood Post Office open throughout the Christmas period and that it will close in the New Year. We will undertake an assessment of the local area and will be working closely with nearby postmasters to support them with the likely increase in footfall for both their Post Office and their own retail services and will review requirements for the local community.”
They also suggested nearby branches that customers can use in the New Year, including Knowle Park, a 48-minute walk away, which is open from 6am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 7am to 10pm on Sundays. The closest alternative is Loxton Square, a 30-minute walk away, but with more limited opening hours of 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday.
Speaking last week about the reasoning behind the closure of so many McColl's stores, Joseph Sutton, Morrisons Convenience, Online and Wholesale Director, said: “We very much regret the proposed closure of 132 loss-making stores, but it is, very sadly, an important step towards the regeneration of the business. I am confident that McColl’s can, in the Morrisons family, once again become a growing, thriving and vibrant convenience business serving local communities across the UK.”
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