Petition to save Post Office given to government

A petition aimed at saving a post office in Paignton town centre has been presented to the House of Commons.

Torbay's Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling handed in the petition, signed by more than 500 people, following a campaign in the area to keep the service in Torquay Road.

The fate of the branch was first announced in November 2024, with the Paignton branch among four in Devon named in a list of 115 around the country under threat of closure.

The Post Office said it was looking at options for its wholly-owned branches, which currently employed about 1,000 workers and were loss-making.

The other Devon post offices on the list are in Bideford, Teignmouth and Mutley in Plymouth, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

When the closure was first announced, councillor Christine Carter said it would be "tragic" to lose the Paignton post office.

"It is crucial to the local businesses and residents, it is a vital asset, and this is shocking news," she said.

The 115 branches earmarked for closure are those wholly-owned by the Post Office, rather than the smaller franchised outlets.

The Post Office is looking at options which include alternative franchise arrangements where an operator like the retailer WHSmith or another third party could take on the branches.

Darling told fellow MPs Paignton residents wanted to protect and save the post office - as it was a "vital part" of the town centre.

"Residents across the whole of Torbay value this resource, and it has a massive impact on community engagement," he said.

"Through the simple face-to-face engagement that many people get when they use the services, but also as a financial hub in the busy small town of Paignton.

"The petitioners call on the House of Commons to reach out to the government and the Post Office to do the right thing and withdraw the threatened closure."

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