DONE deal!

As townsfolk in Cressroads, Watercress Capital of the World, are asked to believe there were no other takers for their Post Office franchise, save the newly-opened Co-operative supermarket only doors away on Alresford’s West Street.

Before they are left to imagine their objections to queuing for pensions, books of postage stamps and more besides in a far-flung corner of a store they most accept by quaintly renaming it 'The Coop’ will be considered as the result of a hastily convened consultative chitchat held after the event.

It was held but days before telecommunications engineers began ripping out the 21st century IT heart of their Post Office amid reports of computer systems crashing at their nearby Station Road Surgery as well as Alresford branch of Lloyds TSB Bank.

If an angry meeting chaired by the town council at Cressroads' recreation centre achieved anything except a platform for Steve Brine, Tory parliamentary hopeful at the coming General Erection, to look to further his cause by thanking goodness for the ‘majority of post office staff to be moving to the new location’ but switching to he Co-op’s payroll, it is a possible end to the Co-operative Society leaving its plans for in-store sub post offices to the imagination of objectors.

“You’ve nothing to show us. Where’s your plan? “ complained acres of bewildered Cressroadians.

“And stand up when you answer us,” bellowed a retired military being of the town.

South West Post Office Field Change Advisor Dave Shotton obeyed. And meekly put his case for having overseen scores of crown post offices shut their listed doors and re-open inside the likes of the Co-op and W H Smith.

“But never before has anyone wanted to see a plan of what’s proposed. You do. And I will take your thoughts back to Dorset with me,” promised pinstripe Dave.

No plan. And no business cards to share with the press. Not from Matt Main, Co-op Operations Manager for Community Supermarkets, whose wallet was bare.

“So sorry, I’ve given my last one away. Must order up a fresh load. But I can tell you the franchise for Alresford Post Office was first up for sale in 2003, and we expect to gain only a small increase in customers by moving the facility to our West Street store that attracts 800-1,200 shoppers daily.”

Whisper! Whisper!

“And the plan you don’t talk about?” quizzed the town hack.

“Er … um … can’t tell you who’s best to talk to … or where to try. Perhaps our Fareham offices … but, no, I don’t deny it … “ Watch this space! – www.blogsbody.com