A CAMPAIGN to keep the post office in Magor in its current form has now been backed by more than 1,000 people.

Concerned residents packed out the Golden Lion pub last Wednesday to show their support in retaining services at the site Post Office in Magor Square.

Councillor Frances Taylor, member for Mill ward, who is spearheading the campaign, is urging residents to write to the chief executive of the Post Office Paula Vennells expressing their concern.

A petition to keep the service has now been signed by more than 1,000 people and the campaign has been backed by John Griffiths AM and Jessica Morden MP. It states that the service is under threat as a direct result of the Post Office Limited’s ‘Network Transformation Process’.

The current postmistress is due to leave the post in January and it is understood there is no replacement for her or her business.

Cllr Taylor said the community has not been consulted on the future of the post office and said the criteria used by the Post Office for the new arrangements seem to disadvantage communities like Magor.

Magor resident Mike Mason, 64, said he and his wife Vera, 68, who are both blind, use the post office several times a week.

He said: “It [the post office] contributes to independent living. It means that we can perform certain banking transactions in a trusted customer service-based environment, with timely help in order to withdraw cash and pay in cheques which requires help with completing paying-in slips.”

He added: “If people are forced to carry out post office transactions miles away from the village square, we fear that this will result in them undertaking other activities, which they would have formerly carried out in the village, whilst they are away. This could result in making other businesses located in the village becoming unsustainable and finally closing, making life for the elderly and disabled even more difficult.”

A Post Office spokesman has previously said they are committed to retaining post office services in Magor and their field team is working hard to identify ways which will enable them to provide a service in the future.

He said: “Post Office representatives will continue to talk to local businesses about the opportunity.”

A core group of campaigners will be meeting at the Golden Lion Inn on November 17, at 7.30pm. For more information on the petition visit www.magorundy.org.uk/ or email paula.vennells@postoffice.co.uk