Ref. 29719-07COUNCILLORS have called for the authority to withdraw all future co-operation with supermarket giant Tesco if it goes ahead with plans to close Shaw Village Post Office.

The chairman of the west area panel, Coun David Glaholm, (Lab, Penhill), also suggested shoppers should boycott the new Tesco Express store if the firm did not heed local people's wishes.

"I think Tesco is more likely to take notice if shoppers can be persuaded to go elsewhere," he said.

In February it was revealed that the post office would be shut when the One Stop shop in Ramleaze Drive was taken over and converted into a Tesco Express.

Local people, including residents at nearby sheltered housing complex, George Tweed Gardens, were outraged and mounted a campaign to get the decision reversed.

Swindon councillors Nick Martin and Garry Perkins (both Con, Shaw and Nine Elms) last week put forward a possible solution, holding out the prospect of a smooth ride for any planning application by Tesco to extend the store if it kept the post office.

The firm said it was considering the option.

The area panel meeting on Tuesday night heard that a survey co-ordinated by Coun Nick Martin showed 41 out of the 43 households in George Tweed Gardens who responded, wanted the post office to stay.

He said 33 got their pensions there, 36 had no means of independent travel and, of those, 29 had disabilities which meant they found travelling difficult.

He said: "The 150 metres to the post office is only a short walk for people and is easily achieved. Obviously the location is of great benefit to people in George Tweed Gardens."

He added that customers came from as far away as Lydiard Millicent to use the service and it was so busy on some afternoons that people had to queue.

Coun Martin moved a resolution expressing profound concern at the threatened closure and asking the cabinet to withdraw future co-operation. It was passed unanimously.

The committee heard that Asda had offered to divert its free shoppers' bus on a Tuesday to enable people to collect their pensions and pay bills in West Swindon, but that it was unlikely to be of much use to many who collected their pensions on other days.

Angry residents have already enlisted the support of their MP, Julia Drown, and last weekend 25 of them picketed Tesco in Ocotal Way.

Tina Clarke