Local MP Greg Clark presented petitions to Government last night (Tuesday 15th November) signed by over 2,500 people in an effort to save both Bidborough and St John’s Post Offices. Both Bidborough and St John’s are threatened with closure under the Government-driven closure programme which could see 58 Post Offices closed forever across Kent.

Presenting the petitions in the House of Commons and calling for Bidborough, St John’s, Langton Green and Hawkhurst Post Offices to remain open, Greg Clark stated: “The closure of a Post Office rips the heart out of a community. Yet the Post Office consultation process lasted just 6 weeks with decisions to be taken in as little as two weeks after that."

“St John’s is a profitable and successful sub-post office run by Sam and Rai Patel in an area with an expanding population that has inadequate alternatives.” In Bidborough, Reshma and Kiran Masrani took over the post office in good faith only 16 months ago now find their livelihood threatened. During the time they have run the post office, this business has increased and they have been allowed to extend their opening hours.” “I hope that the representations made by my constituents will be taken seriously by the managers of the Post Office.”

Commenting after the presentation in Parliament, Greg added: “Both Bidborough and St John’s Post Offices are profitable. It makes absolutely no sense for the Post Office to close them to save money. I call upon Post Office managers again to come down and look at just how successful these businesses are. “No wonder the public meetings on the closure proposals attracted around 500 people and the petitions were signed by over 2,500. “I remain sceptical that this is a genuine process if decisions are to be taken so quickly but I am determined to keep Post Office Managers to their word. “I will continue to fight with the local communities of Bidborough, St John’s, Langton Green and Hawkhurst to keep these Post Offices open and urge the Post Office to re-consider these damaging closure plans.”