Plan to relocate Post Office angers campaigners

Campaigners said plans to relocate a Post Office were "flawed and irresponsible" and would set back a major regeneration scheme.

Residents and business owners said moving the north Lowestoft branch would "rip the heart out of the historic High Street", which received funding as part of a Heritage Action Zone.

The Post Office said it was proposing moving the branch 300 metres - less than a quarter of a mile away - to Bushells Bakery on Tennyson Road, with the new site open for longer and with modern facilities.

Opponents said there had been a branch on the High Street for at least 110 years and urged people to register their views in a consultation and via a local petition.

Christine Newman, co-chair of the Most Easterly Community Group, said: "This plan to move the Post Office is flawed and irresponsible and must be stopped.

"Our High Street is battling against the tide of negativity surrounding high streets in general. The High Street is slowly remaking itself as a centre of independent shops and services.

"Millions of pounds is being invested in the transformation of the Old Town Hall, which is 50 metres (164ft) away from the Post Office, and the North Heritage Action Zone has also invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in renovating historic shop fronts."

Harry Grainger, another co-chair, said: "It makes no sense to uproot a well-used business and a focal point that will become even more important in the future and put it on a back street.

"It will rip the heart out of the High Street and goes against everything the government is trying to do to enhance areas like ours."

Julie Davison, who runs Uncle Sid's Zero Waste Store with her son Nathan, said: "This area is a village in a town and we have got to keep it like that.

"Closing the Post Office will stop more people coming up the High Street, because that business is encouraging people to come down here and we will lose footfall."

A Post Office spokesperson said: "Our north Lowestoft Post Office located on the High Street has been operated by a temporary postmaster and we're grateful to them for stepping in to provide our essential products and services to the local community.

"We're pleased that a new permanent operator has come forward to operate the branch on a permanent basis and is proposing to refurbish their premises to host the Post Office."

A consultation on moving the Post Office runs until 5 December.

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