Shop owners have reacted with “dismay” to the proposed closure of Stroud Post Office.
Stroud is one of more than 100 branches throughout the country at risk of potential closure.
The Post Office has confirmed that it could close more than 100 branches, putting thousands of jobs at risk.
Chair of the Chamber of Commerce Tom Berry, who runs Sound Records in George Street, said: “The closure of our Post Office would have a huge impact on our communities.
“The public now have to rely on this as so many banks have closed and their local facilities have also been eroded. This impacts not only residents of Stroud, but also the hundreds from other towns and villages who rely on using Stroud. Our businesses similarly rely heavily on this vital service – both for cash handling and for despatching orders across the world. The loss of the Post Office would inevitably hit footfall hard and isolate many from services that are vital to them.
“Should the Post Office be closed, the chances of having no Banking Hub are significantly increased. Much as a popular narrative may otherwise have us believe, we are not in a cashless society and many, especially the most vulnerable, rely on using cash to effectively budget.
“The Chamber will be looking to support partners to look for better outcomes than closures, to ensure the needs of our communities are met.”
