Closure of Warrender Park Road Confirmed

8.14.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 21st Oct 2008

Vince Cable MP visiting Warrender Park Road Post Office in happier times...

This morning Royal Mail confirmed that despite widespread local objections Warrender Park Road Post Office will now close on 20 November 2008.

On 19 August the post office was earmarked for closure as part of the Labour Government's rationalisation plans which are set to close 2500 Post Offices across the UK.

Unfortunately, despite a campaign spanning several months coordinated by Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council and Lib Dem campaigners Fred Mackintosh and Mike Pringle MSP with massive local and community support, a public meeting attended by over 300 people, a 3000+ signature petition and hundreds of responses to the public consultation Post Office Ltd have decided that the Warrender Park Road branch will close.

Local Lib Dem Westminster Spokesperson Fred Mackintosh said. "The closure comes as a massive blow to the residents of Marchmont after the other Post Office on Marchmont Road was closed just four years ago. My heart goes out to Graham and Jean at the post office who have worked so hard and have provided such a fantastic local service".

The closure follows implementation of criteria set down for the Post Office by the Department of Trade and Industry in May 2007. All four of Edinburgh's Labour MPs voted in favour of the closure plans and against plans to review the programme. So despite the opposition of local residents they must bear the significant burden of responsibility for the

closure of this post office."

Local MSP Mike Pringle said, "I am deeply disappointed. I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who took part in what was an incredible campaign. I know that Graham Smalley - the sub Postmaster at Warrender Park Road - greatly appreciated all of your efforts and our thoughts must be with him at this time as he faces losing a substantial part of his livelihood."

"It is because of this incredible community spirit that Marchmont will continue to thrive despite the loss of the Warrender Park Road branch, it is just a great pity that the Labour Government felt it necessary to press on with these national plans despite massive national and local opposition."