A MAJOR overhaul has sparked fears that an important ‘lifeline’ and a ‘vital community asset’ in Stroud could close.

The Post Office revealed it is looking to offload 115 directly-owned branches within its 11,500-strong network, including the one in Stroud’s Russell Street, under plans announced by the group last Wednesday.

This could see post offices transferred to retail partners or postmasters, or potentially closed.

Councillors, business owners and residents have voiced their concerns at the potential Stroud closure, saying it would have a huge impact on our communities and would isolate many residents from vital services.

(Image: Simon Pizzey) Nearly 2,000 signatures have already been added to a petition to save the branch.

Stroud district councillor Lindsey Green, who leads the Conservative group and set up the petition, said: “For so many people in Stroud, including myself, losing local banks has greatly impacted our daily transactions.

“We were previously told that we could use the Post Office to supplement these services, making deposits and withdrawals an option at the very least.

“Now, this potential closure is threatening this already fragile substitute.

“Stroud has lost multiple banks over the past few years and the Post Office has become a lifeline for individuals and local businesses alike who need to conduct in-person financial transactions.

“It is a vital community asset that cannot be understated.”

New chair of Stroud Chamber of Commerce Tom Berry, said: “The closure of our Post Office would have a huge impact on our communities.

“The public now have to rely on this as so many banks have closed and their local facilities have also been eroded.

“This impacts not only residents of Stroud, but also the hundreds from other towns and villages who rely on using Stroud.

(Image: Simon Pizzey)

“Our businesses similarly rely heavily on this vital service — both for cash handling and for despatching orders across the world.

“The loss of the Post Office would inevitably hit footfall hard and isolate many from services that are vital to them.”

About 1,000 workers employed across the branches could find their roles at risk, with the Post Office confirming that hundreds of further jobs are under threat as its headquarters looks to streamline office operations.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “We are considering a range of options to reduce our central costs.

“This includes considering the future of our remaining directly managed branches (DMBs), which are loss-making.

“We have had long held a publicly-stated ambition to move to a fully franchised network and we are in dialogue with the unions about future options for the DMBs.”

Post Office chair Nigel Railton added that the shake-up will also offer a ‘new deal for postmaster’ by increasing their share of revenue and giving them a greater say in the running of the business as it looks to move on from the Horizon IT scandal that saw hundreds of subpostmaster wrongfully convicted.

The 115 branches put at risk are the only remaining branches directly owned by the Post Office, down from close to 400 in 2010.

Stroud MP Simon Opher said: “The first thing to say is that stories like this always affect the frontline workers the most, and it’s important to try and get the facts straight when you’re talking about people’s livelihoods.

“I’m sorry that our Post Office staff find themselves in this situation.

 “Post Offices, like banks, are at the heart of our communities and provide a range of essential services for individuals and businesses.  “

Anything which impacts their survival is obviously going to be a concern for all of us. 

“At the election, Labour committed to strengthen the Post Office network, and support the development of new products, services and business models (like banking hubs), to help reinvigorate the high street. 

“We will work with all parties – the Post Office, postmasters, trade unions and customers to make that happen.

“I’ve been in touch with the Post Office about the situation locally. 

"My understanding is that while there is an ongoing review of the business, including what they call their ‘directly managed branches’, there are no plans to close the office in Stroud.

“I believe that Stroud has a great future as a community and place to do business. 

“If we can get a few things sorted — public transport, support for small businesses, community hubs and local policing, for example — we will all benefit.

“Having a thriving local Post Office is a key part of the future for all of us.”

A Stroud Town Council spokesperson said: “The Post Office has long served as an essential component of Stroud’s commercial infrastructure, supporting residents and businesses across the town and the surrounding towns and parishes. 

“Its presence underpins the vitality of our historic town centre and provides crucial services to both businesses and residents.”

Mayor Tony Davey said: “Our Post Office represents a cornerstone of Stroud’s economic ecosystem. 

"We are deeply concerned about the implications of this proposed closure for our business community and residents alike.”

Deputy SDC leader Pete Kennedy (Green, Painswick and Upton) said: “The Post Office in Stroud is always busy whenever I visit, and the cash machine is one of only a few left in the town centre.

“I’m hopeful that we can find some way for Stroud to maintain an accessible Post Office in the town centre, even if it means moving to a different building.”

Councillor Louisa Stinton (Green), one of the town councillors for Stroud Central, said: “It would be devastating for the community if this vital service were to be closed. 

“The Post Office is essential not only for postal services but also for local business and personal banking, since most of the local bank branches have now closed.”