Closing the sorting office in Herne Bay will affect new businesses, according to concerned councillors. Members of the city council's ruling executive debated Royal Mail's plan to shut the depot and move staff to Canterbury, at their meeting on Thursday. Petitioner Dick Eburne said the move would cause many problems. He said:

"It will have a significant impact on the people of Herne Bay who want to collect their mail."

Bay councillor Peter Lee said:

"This concerns me greatly, particularly when people are starting new businesses, post is still an important factor when getting a business off the ground. They don't really have a clue in what they are doing and it concerns me that the service is only going to get worse."

The decision to shut the offices in Herne Bay and Whitstable was described as "horrendous" by Herne councillor Peter Vickery-Jones, who said there would be an extra 2,500 journeys for posties.

The closures are part of a restructure planned to be completed by 2013. Protesters say people would have to travel to the city to collect parcels not delivered. Protesters will march through Herne Bay on Saturday, June 25. Everyone is welcome to join them at May Lodge, 14 Central Parade, Herne Bay, at 2pm. The march will set off at 3pm.

HB Times 23rd Jun 2011