Lancing Post Office could become asset of community value

The Post Office announced it was seeking a franchise partner for its North Road branch last month, which councillors believe will see the service move from its current location. Making the building an asset of community value would mean that residents would be alerted to any plans to sell the building, said councillor Lee Cowen, who proposed to make the application. “It ties the building to the community and gives the community a stake in it,” he said. It also allows the community to bid on it – were it to be put up for sale. For an application to be accepted, it must be proven that the building is used to further the social wellbeing or interests of the community and could do so in the future. The parish council’s attempt to make the Luxor building an asset last year was unsuccessful because it had been empty for so long. Meanwhile, campaign efforts to keep the Post Office in its current building have continued, with paper petitions amassing ‘hundreds’ of signatures, according to Mr Cowen. These are available to sign at the Adur Voluntary Action shop, the parish hall, Wilmshurst Pharmacy and several charity shops. An online petition gained almost a thousand signatures in less than 24 hours. Mr Cowen is planning a rally at the Post Office on Saturday, February 18, where he hopes residents will come with placards and ‘make a bit of noise.’ Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, has arranged for councillors to be given a briefing by Post Office representatives on Thursday. Feburary 23. In a letter to the parish council, the Post Office said it sought a franchise partner to provide the service from the existing building or alternative premises, adding that the majority of the branch network operates from a retail business. An online petition to save the Post Office can be found here. Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live. Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. 1) Make our website your homepage 2) Like our Facebook page 3) Follow us on Twitter 4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here. And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out! Always the first with your local news. Be part of it.