How much is Hawkinge worth?

Hawkinge Liberal Democrats have been working hard to find a new venue for their local Post Office after the news that Tesco is to close the Canterbury Road Post Office as part of their makeover of the One Stop Shop.

The Lib Dem team have been working with local businesspeople to find someone willing to run a post office. They have been successful, and at least one local business has applied to the Post Office and expressed an interest. The Post Office have replied asking for a one off start up payment of £8,864.74 including VAT, making it almost impossible for local traders to help.

Cllr Peter Smith said "I know that there are several people in the village who are trying to accommodate a new Post Office within their buildings. To be hit with a demand for almost £9,000 just for trying to help their local community that may make it impossible for these people to succeed.

"Tesco are the ones who are closing our Post Office and so I believe that Tesco should be the ones to pay this one off set up fee. For a local business £9,000 is a huge amount of money - to Tesco that is a drop in the ocean.

"If Tesco really do value communities then they should offer to pay this set up charge. This would allow local businesses to host a Post Office within their property without this crippling fee.

"Hawkinge needs a Post Office, and Tesco should pay for it to be moved - or don't they think we are worth it?"