Post Office has announced proposals to relocate the St Andrew’s Street Post Office to a WHSmith store as part of a franchise arrangement. If approved it will bring the total number of Post Offices operated by WHSmith in its stores to more than 200. Cambridge Labour are campaigning against these proposals, alongside the CWU led by local CWU Branch Secretary Mark Toner.

Daniel Zeichner said: “Our post office in St Andrew’s Street is very-heavily used and is a key part of our city, and part of our city identity. Like many others, I am tired of seeing the commercialisation of the institutions that make up our communities and I anticipate a strong response from Cambridge people. Earlier this year, the Government tried to take away our Magistrates Court, and we beat them off. Now they want our Post Office. Let’s send a very strong message – no.”

Mr Toner says: “When these moves have happened in other cities, CWU members have seen the impact that they can have on local communities, particularly disabled people, when access is reduced. The Post Office should remain in public hands, and the transfer to WHSmith will no doubt have a detrimental impact on post office services. We will be campaigning against it.”

Cllr Anna Smith says: “St Andrew’s Street Post Office is one of the city’s flagship Post Offices, seeing a large number of people during opening hours. Relocating the services to a WHSmith store puts access and the services themselves at risk. As Executive Councillor for Communities I am all too aware of the impact this will have on so many residents for whom the post office is a lifeline. We absolutely do not want to see important institutions get stripped away from our City and I fully support this campaign.”

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