THE popular post office on Mount Pleasant is returning – ten years after it was forced to close, writes Tom Banner.
The post office, which had been open for 21 years, was forced to close despite a long and hard-fought campaign against The Post Office.
It had earmarked the branch for closure and, although that battle was lost, a decade on the shop is getting its post office back.
Serge Basi, owner of the store, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have the post office back.
“It has always been a hub of the community and hopefully it will be into the future.
“We are also very grateful to the Post Office for their investment in bringing it back.”
The campaign to save the post office included a march and a petition backed by the Redditch Standard with support coming from then Home Secretary and Redditch MP Jacqui Smith, as well as future Conservative MP for Redditch, Karen Lumley.
George Atkinson, a champion of the shop who ran the campaign, said: “The store is great for local residents as, unlike a bank, it is easily accessible and near-instant.
“It is fully accessible for disabled customers and many residents, especially elderly, liked this store for those reasons.
“I am delighted the services have been restored and that Serge can continue to run a focal point of the community.”
