A success for “Save the Post Office”
Emily Darlington, Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes Central, celebrates a massive local success in her campaign to save the post office in Central Milton Keynes today following productive meetings with key Post Office stakeholders, including the prospective new postmaster, who confirmed that the city centre will not lose their local branch.
Following news that the Milton Keynes Post Office would be franchised by UOE, Emily Darlington MP met with new postmaster Elliot Jacobs and Post Office representative Jack Foden in Parliament. The meeting comes after a long campaign to keep the local post office open – last year, Emily Darlington MP launched an online petition opposing the potential closure of the branch, which was signed by over two thousand local residents. Thousands of people rely on the postal services available in the city centre, and the closure of the branch would be detrimental to local residents across Milton Keynes. These points were presented in a productive meeting that underscored the importance of the Milton Keynes post office.
Following the meeting, Emily Darlington MP said, “I’ve been fighting to save the post office because I know just how much it matters to constituents across Milton Keynes Central. Nobody should be cut-off from key postal services that they rely on. It was great to meet with Elliot and Jack, who understand more than anyone how much people rely on their local post offices, and I feel reassured that Milton Keynes will have a solution that works for both the post office staff and the people in our city who rely on its services. A huge thank you to them, and to all the people in Milton Keynes who signed my petition and made their voices heard!”
Postmaster Elliot Jacobs and Post Office representative Jack Foden said, “We’re excited to be taking on the Milton Keynes Post Office and ensuring this essential service remains at the heart of the community. With our experience in delivering trusted retail and Post Office services, we’re committed to providing excellent service for local residents and businesses”.
Whilst the branch is expected to re-open within the next few months, Emily Darlington also welcomed the plans announced by the Labour-ran City Council last week for a temporary post office to be opened at their offices on Saxon Gate, occupying the space formerly used by NatWest - the entrance to the post office is separate from the secure entrance to the Civic Offices. Working with the Post Office, the Labour-ran City Council has secured this arrangement following the unexpected closure of the Midsummer Boulevard post office following an incident in June.
Emily Darlington MP said… “I’m pleased that our Labour-ran City Council in Milton Keynes has stepped in to get key postal services going again in Central Milton Keynes. Placing the temporary office right in the Civic Offices show just how committed our City Council is towards delivering for our residents, and I know this will be a great relief to so many of my constituents who rely on those key postal services. With an interim arrangement in place, and a long-term future for the local branch secured, we can be confident about the future of the post office in Central Milton Keynes”.
