Post office under threat of closure

THE people of Crowborough were shocked to hear a post office faces closure because the popular sub-postmistress faces the sack.

Scores of residents have signed a petition to save the post office counter at Poundfield Stores and Newsagents. The Post Office Ltd warned last week it would close the facility in three months unless a replacement sub-postmaster can be found in time.

Andrew Ayling, who works at the shop in Poundfield Road, which is not under threat, said: "Everybody feels strongly about this decision. A place the size of Crowborough needs two post offices.

"Neha, the current sub-postmistress, is very friendly and helpful to everybody. I really can't understand why they are doing this."

Neha Patel says she will appeal her bosses' decision to terminate her contract in May.

She said: "I know I can do this job at the substantial level that they are requiring. I love the job and I would be lost without it."

Nearly 100 people have signed a petition venting their anger at the possible closure.

Mrs Patel added: "I will show what people have written, which will prove to them what I have done for the community."

John Sidey, 71, of Green Lane, is one of many who have been left baffled by the Post Office's decision.

He said: "It's totally ridiculous as far as Crowborough, with a population of more than 20,000, is concerned. The post office in town already has queues a mile long.

"It does not make sense."

Margaret Hurlock, 78, who lives in Rochester Way, said: "They are planning on building a lot more houses with an increasing population, so we need another post office."

Lisa Aitken, 28, who lives in Forest Rise, said: "I prefer to do things here rather than at the one in town.

"You can always park nearby here. It would be very sad if it closed."

Town councillor Peter Cowie questioned why the council has not been informed of the decision.

He said: "If we knew why, we could put forward our point of view. They do not seem to care what the local people feel, which I think is unreasonable."

Valerie Antoine, a Post Office Ltd spokesman, defended the decision.

She said: "It is true we are in the process of terminating the contract with the current sub-postmistress. It is a contractual decision.

"We are working behind the scenes and want customers to be assured we want to keep this post office in the area."

If Poundfield's post office counter did close, it would be the third to go in Crowborough in ten years. Residents vehemently opposed the closure of White Hill and Jarvis Brook sub-post offices in 2003.