Sir John Whittingdale visited Burnham on Crouch Post Office and met Sub Postmaster Ani Patel as well as Andy Parker, Regional Director of the Post Office and Jack Foden, Head of Public Affairs.
Following the closure of all bank branches in the town, the Post Office has a vital role in providing banking services. Savages Pharmacy is also located within the premises alongside a retail store. Sir John also saw the back office investment in creating an automated dispensing facility which serves the whole of the Dengie Peninsula. Sir John discussed the financial pressure on small retail business created by wage rises, business rates and energy costs. The possibility of creating a Banking Hub to give greater access to banking services for residents at the other end of the town was also discussed and Sir John agreed to explore this further.
Sir john said: “With the loss of the last remaining bank branch in the town, the Post Office provides essential financial services for the community while the co-location of the Pharmacy opposite Burnham Surgery is also very beneficial for the residents. Ani and his staff are doing a fantastic job and I will continue to work with them to help sustain the range of services they provide”
Sir John is pictured with Sub Postmaster and Superintendent Pharmacist, Aniruddh Patel.
