Olly Glover, MP for Didcot and Wantage, has written to the Government raising concerns over declining access to services following the closure of East Hagbourne Post Office and the confirmed closure of the TG Jones Didcot branch.
In a letter to Lord Leong, the new Minister for Small Business and Enterprise, Mr Glover said: “In your new role as Minister for Small Business and Enterprise, I write to you regarding the worsening access to Post Office services in my Oxfordshire constituency of Didcot and Wantage.
“This follows my presentation of (my petition) in May earlier this year concerning the closure of East Hagbourne Post Office, as well as my subsequent letter to your predecessor, Blair McDougall MP, on 7 July 2026.
“Despite raising these concerns several months ago, I am yet to receive a response.”
Mr Glover outlined three objectives in his letter: to update the minister on the situation, to request an acknowledgement of earlier correspondence, and to seek clarity on what steps the Government is taking to support residents now left with limited access to Post Office services.
He pointed out that more than 175 residents had signed a petition opposing the closure of East Hagbourne Post Office, and a separate petition gathered over 1,100 signatures.
Mr Glover said: “The closure of the village’s Post Office removed a vital community asset, providing not only postal services, but also access to banking, bill payments, and other vital services.
“In the Government’s response to the petition, Blair McDougall told me that alternative branches remain available nearby, including Didcot Post Office and Georgetown Post Office, and that this met the Government’s access criteria.
“However, in my letter dated 7 July, I warned that this position was unsustainable.
“I highlighted that Didcot Post Office faced an uncertain future following the approval of TG Jones’ restructuring plans.
“Alongside this, Georgetown Post Office is already struggling with capacity issues, often experiencing long queues.
“I also noted that this additional demand would only worsen the situation, with increased pressure on local infrastructure.”
Mr Glover’s warnings have now come to pass, with the closure of the TG Jones Didcot branch confirmed.
He said: “I am now incredibly concerned for residents who will be affected by this closure.
“Residents of a growing town of 37,000 people, alongside surrounding villages, are now left with a single Post Office branch that is already operating under significant pressure.
“Given that the initial observation implied that residents would have a multitude of Post Offices to choose from as alternatives, please may I request that the closure of this store be considered once more by the Government.”
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