A NEW post office opened in central Oxford yesterday, 50 yards from where another closed despite a fight by 3,000 people to save it.

In February, the Post Office franchise at Lloyds Pharmacy closed after Lloyds decided to shut.

There had been a post office at the junction of Woodstock Road and Little Clarendon Street since 1899, and a petition to save it by Nigel Taylor, who runs the nearby newsagents in St Giles’, attracted 3,000 signatures.

However, the petition failed to save the post office, but did demonstrate the demand for its services in the area.

Now, Nadia Hussain, of Globe News Market, in Woodstock Road, which is near the former pharmacy, has agreed to run a post office from her family store.

She said: “Our family runs six news markets across Oxford and we thought this would be a good opportunity because there is a massive demand for a post office in the area.

“The petition showed just how much people wanted a post office and we will be providing a service for everyone, particularly pensioners.

“We think customers will come from Jericho, the city centre, North Oxford, and maybe even Kidlington because the road is on a bus route.”

Mr Taylor said: “Unfortunately my petition couldn’t prevent the branch at the pharmacy from closing but it did show how much people wanted a post office in the area.

“There aren’t many new post offices opening these days, and I think this will be good for businesses in the area. I’m very pleased someone has taken the initiative to do this.”

Jean Fooks, Liberal Democrat Summertown city councillor, was delighted by the news.

She said: “We no longer have a post office in Summertown itself and this will be particularly useful for pensioners who do not want to travel into the main branch in St Aldate’s.

“It is great news that a post office in the Woodstock Road area has been revived.

“This new branch will take the pressure off the post office at the corner of Walton Street and Great Clarendon Street, which has been getting extremely busy.”

Post Office spokesman Tom Prendergast, said: “We always intended to reopen a post office in the Woodstock Road area.

“Following the temporary closure of this branch in February, it has always been our intention to restore services to the community as soon as possible.

“Therefore, we are delighted for our customers that the branch will be reopening only a short distance from the former location, and will offer the same wide range of Post Office products and services.”

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk