Protest over potential Willenhall Post Office closure
Residents in a Black Country town have taken to the streets to protest against the potential closure of their post office.
The event, organised by the Communication Workers Union (CWU), saw politicians and residents alike protest outside the post office.
Concerns have been raised that the post office, because of its crown status, will be privatised and closed, instead replaced by a single counter in a shop. This could also lead to job losses.
Walsall councillor Diane Coughlan was one of those demonstrating outside the John Street premises on Saturday morning.
She said: "It was a well supported protest. I had put a call out on Facebook for people to come down and they did so we had a good number of members of the public down there.
"Just by being there you could see how well used it is as a post office with people always coming in and out.
"What they want to do is close quite a lot of crown offices and privatise them. This Willenhall one could be moved to a shop but that is not acceptable. They will say it is a post office but it will not be, it will be one counter.
"Willenhall deserves a proper post office."
A public meeting is in the process of being set up with councillor Coughlan saying she will ask representitives from the Post Office to attend and answer questions.
Around 20 people attended Saturday's event.
Workers at the post office took industrial action over the Christmas period due to the ongoing row. Members of the CWU have accused Post Office bosses of refusing to get into serious negotiations with them over their concerns of over job losses, the closure of a final salary pension scheme and the franchising of Crown Post Offices.
The franchising of Crown Post Offices could also affect the Darwell Street site in Walsall.
