David Ruffley visited Gislingham Post Office on Saturday, 29 March and met sub-postmaster, Geoff Lawrence, to discuss the proposals by Post Office Ltd for an outreach service in the village.

The proposal is to close Gislingham Post Office and open an outreach service point at The Six Bells public house in Gislingham High Street.

However, David was informed that the owner of The Six Bells may be moving and therefore there is no certainty about an outreach point at the pub.

David has written to Gary Grange, Senior External Relations Manager at Post Office Ltd, to raise this with him. He has also queried the viability of Gislingham customers using the three Post Office branches listed as alternatives.

The full text of David's letter is attached.

David said: 'Gislingham Post Office is a popular, busy and thriving business so I am appalled that it is proposed for closure. There is no certainty that the proposed outreach service point will be available and there is no other suitable outreach point in Gislingham.

'I encourage all my Gislingham constituents to join me in fighting this proposal by writing to:

Laura Tarling

Network Development Manager

C/o National Consultation Team

FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM

Email:

Customer helpline: 08457 22 33 44

'Post Office Ltd has gone ahead with this closure proposal with no firm alternative in place. It shows a complete lack of local knowledge and absolutely no consideration for the needs of the local community.'