A petition has been launched to bring back the Post Office in Truro city centre, after the store it was housed in closed its doors last month.
Jayne Kirkham, MP for Falmouth and Truro, launched a Parliamentary Petition calling for a replacement to be established as soon as possible.
The city centre Post Office was hosted by TG Jones (the replacement to WH Smiths), which closed its doors on October 6.
Ms Kirkham said: “Truro city centre needs a Post Office.
“Without a suitable temporary replacement in place, the closure of the Post Office has really affected residents and businesses in Truro.
“There is strong demand to reinstate the branch without delay.
“That is why I am launching this petition – I want to capture the strength of feeling on this issue and push to get a branch reopened as fast as possible.”
Residents wishing to support the petition can sign it in person at Jayne Kirkham MP's constituency office in Truro, at Truro Community Library and the Spar on Lemon Quay.
The closure was part of a TG Jones company-wide restructuring which could see up to 150 of its 480 stores shutting across the UK.
Jayne Kirkham MP has already raised the issue of closing branches in Westminster, as well as holding meetings with Cornwall and the city councils, Post Office officials and Truro BID.
The new petition requests that the House of Commons urge the Government to ensure that Truro city centre has a permanent and accessible Post Office in place as quickly as possible.
“This closure highlights the weakness of the franchise model.
“When a host business like TG Jones closes, communities can suddenly lose access to essential Post Office services.
“I have asked the Minister to consider consulting with the Post Office on alternatives when this happens in main towns and cities and looking again at the franchise model, which seems to leave post office branches very vulnerable,” said Ms Kirkham.
The search for a new location for the Post Office has already begun – with the company advertising for applicants to come forward, and making a shortlist of potential new sites.
Last week, the new landlord of the former TG Jones offered to reopen the branch in its existing location – even if only temporarily before a new site is secured.
Landlord Richard Starr argued that his site will save money as the store is already fitted out, and that the existing location will be familiar to customers, saying: “Local people have repeatedly asked me when the Post Office will reopen.
“It is clearly an important public service, particularly for older and less mobile residents and for customers requiring services that are not available at the smaller surrounding branches.”
The Post Office confirmed that they are “in touch with the landlord”.
The new petition is open to all residents across Truro.
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The petition is open to all residents across Truro – there is no age limit, and multiple people from the same address can sign if their addresses are within the Truro and Falmouth constituency.
Residents can check their postcode online at: https://members.parliament.uk/constituencies.
The MP will also be coming round to collect signatures across the city centre, and members of her team will be visiting local businesses to collect signatures from the retail community on Monday morning (November 9).
It must be signed in person, and the deadline to collect all signatures is Wednesday January 6, 2027.
Ms Kirkham added: “At a time when more services move online, Post Offices provide important in-person support, particularly for older and more vulnerable residents, and postal services are a lifeline for small businesses.
“The closest Post Office is now in Trelander, in a residential area on the other side of a busy road and up a steep hill.
“It cannot replace a centrally located Post Office that is easy to access.”
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