SUPERMARKET giant Morrisons today confirmed it WILL axe a post office serving a community of 7,500 people – despite a barrage of protests.Furious residents pledged to fight to save the facility, a vital component of a community development, and said the battle had only just begun.

SUPERMARKET giant Morrisons today confirmed it WILL axe a post office serving a community of 7,500 people – despite a barrage of protests.

Furious residents pledged to fight to save the facility, a vital component of a community development, and said the battle had only just begun.

They are putting together a campaign plan and urgently seeking alternative premises for the post office.

The facility was opened in Safeway in Grange Farm Avenue, Felixstowe, a decade ago, forcing the closure of the area's existing sub post office.

But now Morrisons have taken over Safeway, the company says it has decided the resort's store will not feature a post office.

A spokesman said: "Shortly after the merger of the Safeway Morrisons businesses we were contacted by the Post Office, requesting a decision on the future of the short-term contracts relating to Post Offices in Safeway stores.

"We have consequently conducted an urgent review of the stores in question and have decided not to seek new contracts with the Post Office and have given Post Office Ltd notice of our intention to end the franchise.

"We are continuing our discussions with the Post Office in order to agree a sensible way forward and no final closure dates have been agreed at this stage.

"We understand that the Post office will, in due course, consult with interested local parties over the proposed relocation of the branches in Safeway stores.

"Staff have been advised of the situation in a special briefing which has already taken place."

Town councillor David Cawdron said arrangements were being made to launch a petition against the closure, and he and fellow councillor Harry Dangerfield would be seeking an urgent meeting with Morrisons management.

"As far as we are concerned, the battle has only just started," said Mr Cawdron.

"We will do everything we can to try to persuade Morrisons to change their minds and to explain to them what a mistake it will be to close this post office.

"People I have spoken to simply cannot believe it, and they are very angry. It will have a huge effect on the disabled and elderly residents, and many others who will in future have to travel to Walton or the town centre.

"This office is also used by many firms at the port, Orwell House and Anzani House, and it attracts people to the store to shop as they can do everything in one place, which is surely part of the aim of such a store."

Safeway was developed as a "neighbourhood complex" and as well as the supermarket, the development includes a pub, doctors' surgery, petrol station, church, pharmacy, post office and two other shops.

Campaigner Gwen Greenfield, who has written to MP John Gummer and Morrisons' managing director, urged everyone complain about the decision, which she described as "very bad news for this area".

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