Post Office replacement petition backed by 1,000

A petition to replace a town's Post Office after a recent closure has surpassed 1,000 signatures, an MP has said.

Joshua Reynolds, Lib Dem MP for Maidenhead, Berkshire, set up the petition calling for a nearby replacement to the business that closed on Saturday.

He said he is "extremely disappointed" that there is "still no immediate nearby replacement", and said he will "continue pushing for a new, accessible town centre Post Office to be opened as soon as possible".

A Post Office spokesperson said: "We are in talks with retailers, which takes time", adding: "We hope to have good news to share soon."

A letter to customers from the Post Office issued in December said the closure was due to the resignation of its retail partner TG Jones.

The shop was inside Nicholsons Shopping Centre, which is due to close next month as part of a town centre redevelopment.

The letter added: "I would like to assure you that we are working hard to keep any period of closure to a minimum and we are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community.

"We apologise for the inconvenience the closure may cause."

Reynolds said: "With over 1,000 signatures on my petition to reprovision Maidenhead Post Office, feeling around the town could not be clearer. We need a new Post Office.

"I will be speaking with local businesses, authorities and all relevant partners to try to find a solution."

Alternative branches in the area are Cox Green Post Office, Shifford Crescent, Highway Post Office and Holyport Post Office.