Parliament Member initiates petition to prevent Post Office branch closure

Melanie Onn, the Member of Parliament for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, has initiated a petition aimed at preventing the closure of a Post Office within her electoral district. Onn stated she was “deeply saddened” to learn that the Grimsby Victoria Street South site is at risk and described it as “a lifeline for so many residents.” This particular branch is among 115 crown-owned establishments facing potential closure, following a strategic review recently unveiled by the state-owned company. The objective of this review is to transition the Post Office into a more commercially viable state. The company reported pre-tax losses exceeding £80m during the 2022/23 financial year and depends on an annual subsidy from the government. Martin Vickers, the Member of Parliament for the adjacent constituency of Brigg and Immingham, has proposed that the Post Office relocate to smaller premises instead of proceeding with its closure. Throughout East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, other branches in Bridlington, Bransholme, and Stamford are similarly threatened with closure as part of the ongoing consultation, a process that has drawn criticism from local residents. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that Onn described the Freshney Place branch as “one of the few places left that operates as a larger scale, traditional Post Office.” She emphasized that individuals “mustn’t forget” the diverse range of services provided by the branch, such as banking, passport application services, and insurance purchases. She further stated: “For those who aren’t comfortable using the internet, these in-person services are absolutely vital, and we need to make sure they remain available for everyone.” A total of 11,500 Post Office branches operate nationwide. The majority of these function under a franchise model, typically situated within small independent businesses. None of Grimsby’s seven other smaller branches are currently facing the threat of closure.