Solihull residents given new hope after being left without a cash machine
Solihull villagers have been given fresh hope for the return of their Post Office services after their local branch closed earlier this year. Meriden Post Office closed in March 2024 following the retirement of the Post Office’s sub-postmaster.
As a result, the premises were withdrawn for Post Office use, cutting off villagers, many of whom are elderly, from vital services including access to a cash point. Since March, Meriden village has been without a Post Office, forcing fed-up residents to drive to the nearest branch two miles away.
Age UK previously warned that being cut off from cash and banking services is tantamount to being excluded from society - something that has been raised with Conservative Meriden and Solihull East MP Saqib Bhatti by worried villagers. However the parliamentarian provided some hope for cut-off villagers hoping for Post Office services to be reinstated.
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At the start of this week, Mr Bhatti met with top bosses from the Post Office to discuss the ongoing lack of Post Office services in Meriden. He noted the issue of access to cash for the elderly was of particular concern following the closure of the Meriden branch.
He also discussed the possibility of reinstating an official Post Office branch and until then, a mobile unit for residents. This would return vital services to the village, and reduce isolation of older people in the community.
Saqib Bhatti added that he had been contacted by a number of residents about the closure, which he reflected to Post Office bosses in the meeting. Following the meeting, Mr Bhatti said he will continue to work "to find the best outcome possible" for the community in Meriden.
Mr Bhatti explained: “I know how important having a Post Office is to Meriden village. My constituents have made it clear that this will negatively impact their community and make accessing essential services very difficult.
"I will continue to work with residents, local councillors, and the Post Office to find the best outcome possible for the Meriden community.”
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