SUMMERTOWN will not get its post office back because of “insufficient demand”, despite a three-year campaign to get counters re-opened.

Post Office Limited bosses say they have examined the case for opening a new branch to open in the North Oxford suburb and has said there are already enough post offices in the area.

There has been a branch in Summertown since 2008, when Martin’s newsagent sold up to Costa Coffee.

But campaigners had hoped a new one could open in Summertown Library, as part of redevelopment plans being drawn up by a campaign group.

More than 500 people have signed a petition calling for a new post office, and when the Friends of Summertown Library surveyed 1,000 residents earlier this year, 575 said they wanted a branch in the South Parade library.

But Post Office Limited spokesman Richard Hall said: “Our findings have confirmed that there is adequate network coverage in the area as a whole with insufficient demand locally to warrant the introduction of any additional branch.”

But councillor Jean Fooks, who has campaigned on the issue, said hundreds of residents would sustain the business.

She said: “A lot of people complain of long queues in the city centre whenever they go to use the post office, or they use Mail Boxes Etc in Summertown instead.

“In the St Aldate’s post office, you may get served eventually, but only after a very long time.

“Post Office Limited seem to think opening a new branch would take business away from Kensal Crescent, in Upper Wolvercote, but I doubt many people who go there would transfer to Summertown.

“I do not think they are looking at the needs of elderly people or parents with small children.”

Ella Taylor, 99, from Charles Ponsonby retirement homes, in Summertown, said: “We all feel very strongly about it. We had three here at one time, but they all went in a matter of months.”

She added: “I’m turning 100 next week and I’m perfectly fine except for the fact I can’t walk properly. So, I can’t go all the way into town for a post office.

“At christmas and birthdays we need them and I think the whole thing is abominable. We need a post office.”

Mrs Fooks said that council bosses are set to meet Post Office executives to examine how branches across the county can help deliver services.

Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council have both committed to talks with Post Office Ltd to review the existing network in the county and discuss whether sub post offices can work closer with the council.

It could pave the way for post offices to sell parking permits or take payment for council bills.

Mrs Fooks said: “The whole idea of post offices becoming the front office for Government should be generally beneficial.”