Post office closure hitting town trade

Robert Johnson, the organisation's chairman, said the disputed relocation of the post office last year has prompted a business slump.

Shop owners had complained of a dip in business, especially following the closure of two national chains, Granada and Dixons estate agents.

"The closure of the post office has produced a fall in business," said Mr Johnson.

"In the past few months we have seen the closure of two shops, which was due to rationalisation of national companies, but it is having the effect of creating empty units. The two must be linked.

"In Evesham we are slightly different in that our High Street is not the main shopping street," Mr Johnson said.

"When the post office was in the High Street, it drew people along to that end of town and attracted them into the businesses there."

Mr Johnson said the relocation of the branch to the Riverside shopping centre meant many shoppers now had no reason to visit the top end of the High Street.

John Styche, owner of Bunty's gift shop in High Street, said: "Retail is going through a slow patch at the moment anyway.

"But what we have seen is a drop in the footfall and the numbers of people using convenience stores like the newsagents.

"What we really need is a women's clothes shop to take over one of these vacant units. Our female customers tell us they go to Worcester, Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon, because there isn't the choice here."

Richard Smith, head of external relations for Royal Mail, said the vacant post office would be used to extend the delivery office, though no date had been set for a move.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff, who opposed the move, said: "What has been described to me was entirely predictable and one of the many reasons the post office should not have been moved.

"There is a possibility the delivery office will move to Vale Park in the long term, which could open up that area for a commercial opportunity."