Lib Dem leader backs Post Office campaign

10.21.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 28th Apr 2008

Nick Clegg

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg has backed the campaign to save Post Offices in Norwich.

Report from the Norwich Evening News:

***Lib Dem leader backs our campaign***

SAM EMANUEL

25 April 2008 07:00

The Evening News's Save our Post Office campaign has today been given a fresh boost after it received backing from the leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Nick Clegg MP has written to add his support to the campaign which has already gained more than 10,000 signatures from people desperate to help save as many of the 51 threatened branches in Norfolk as possible.

In a personal letter to the Evening News, Mr Clegg praised the post office campaign and urged readers to carry on fighting for their branches.

It said: "I'm well aware of the fact that Norwich and the county of Norfolk have already lost a number of post offices in recent years, and that local communities cannot afford to lose any more. Post offices aren't just businesses they are often at the heart of the community. They should be protected and given the opportunity to develop what they can offer."

He added: "My firm advice to the Evening News and its readers is to carry on fighting your cause. I've noticed what you've achieved - keep going and perhaps the Government might too."

Tracey Stevens of Tracey's News on Rosary Road - one of the city's threatened branches - welcomed Mr Clegg's support for the campaign.

She said: "It's fantastic that he's heard about it, people like him are the only ones who can really try and change anything. We have had fantastic support from all the local political parties. It's cracking that he supports us because it's an issue that affects everyone and that's what politicians should be concerned with - making life better for people."

Mr Clegg's letter comes the day after Post Office bosses agreed to attend a public meeting to hear the views of customers, sub-postmasters and councillors in Norwich.

The meeting, requested by the Evening News, will be held at Norwich Puppet Theatre on Thursday, May 22.

People will be able to ask questions about the six threatened branches in our

area: Rosary Road, Vauxhall Street, North Earlham, Cringleford, Trowse and Great Plumstead.

To do your bit for the campaign, you can sign the Evening News petition, which is in every threatened branch in Norwich, and at our offices in Prospect House, Rouen Road, or on Millennium Plain.