Support swells for Littlehampton post office fight

Customers visit The Arcades closed post office as it goes on strike for the fifth time, on Tuesday

To date, more than 1,000 people have signed a petition against proposals to move the post office from its current location, in The Arcade.

And at 6pm on Monday (June 3), a public meeting will be held at Littlehampton Town Council’s New Millennium Chamber, Manor House, Church Street, by strike organisers, the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU).

During Tuesday’s strike, customers gathered in The Arcade and discussed the post office’s future.

Paul Timney, 55, of South Terrace, said: “I can understand why the union is striking because instead of the Post Office working with its staff, employees there are being forced to suffer a very Draconian-like ruling.

“The Arcade has great staff that I fully support but they have been ridden over rough-shod. So I can sympathise with them.”

Campaigners and traders have raised their concern about the possible move. Town and Arun councillor Mike Northeast, who is spearheading efforts to save the post office, said it would be “devastating” for neighbouring businesses in The Arcade if it relocated.

However, some customers said they were becoming frustrated with the volume of industrial action taking place – Tuesday’s was the fifth strike since March.

Pamela Hull, 64, of Griffin Crescent, Wick, said: “It’s only going to aggravate people. I don’t think all this strike action is going to help their cause one bit.”

Local CWU campaign organiser, John Sones, said the union was “desperately sorry” for any inconvenience caused, but argued the strikes were out of “sheer frustration” with the Post Office.

The Post Office said it was “disappointed” by Tuesday’s action. A spokeswoman said that a four-week period searching for potential partners, willing to have the post office on their premises, closed on Monday.

She said the organisation was now analysing the results to determine whether any suitable retailers had put themselves forward to become a post office partner. If one was found, a six-week public consultation on the relocation would begin.