As part of a campaign against the closure of Brunswick Town’s much-loved Crown Post Office at 22 Western Road, two local Green councillors are organising a ‘World Cafe’ public discussion to draw together ideas on how to save it. Concerned residents and customers are invited, as are local MPs Peter Kyle and Caroline Lucas and Post Office staff themselves.
The ‘World Café’ technique enables a structured conversation, in a café-style setting, where everyone can participate as they move between a series of tables responding to specific questions. The aim is to harness the collective wisdom in the room and to come up with constructive ideas and solutions.
The meeting will take place on Thursday, 3 September 2015 from 6.00pm to 8.30pm at the Old Market, Upper Market Street, Hove BN3 1AS. Due to the nature of the event, attendance will be limited to 70, so participants are encouraged to book in advance via the Eventbrite website.
Ollie Sykes, ward Councillor for Brunswick & Adelaide ward said:
“There’s huge public opposition to this closure. Over 4,000 people have signed our (on-line & paper) petition to Post Office Limited, asking that the Brunswick Town post office be saved.”
He added: “This post office is in a perfect location in the heart of Brunswick Town, right at the centre of this community. The proposed alternative provision will be a mile away and up a hill, inconvenient and inaccessible to many customers.”
Phelim Mac Cafferty, fellow ward Councillor for Brunswick and Adelaide ward said:
“We have organised this discussion as a positive response to the situation to draw up practical solutions which could save this post office. The World Café format will enable wide-ranging knowledge and ideas to be shared and built upon collaboratively between local customers, politicians, Post Office staff and others.”
Notes
Post Office Ltd are proposing to close Western Road Crown Post Office and ‘merge’ it into Melville Road Crown Post Office at 20 Melville Road, by Seven Dials (BN3 1UB), in January 2016. A consultation is currently being held. This closes on 16 September.
Online consultation about the proposed closure/ ‘merger’: https://www.postofficeviews.co.uk/branchcode.php?query=01090799&frmnd=liveconsultation
An on-line petition to save the Brunswick Town Post Office is via 38 Degrees at:
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-brunswick-town-s-post-office
‘A Future for our Post Office!’ event tickets can be booked, free of charge, through the Eventbrite website: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-future-for-our-post-office-tickets-17942861582
Further details about the World Café method at:
http://www.theworldcafe.com/key-concepts-resources/world-cafe-method