MP Sajid Javid met with representatives from Post Office Ltd last week, to discuss the franchising of Bromsgrove's High Street branch.

Crown general manager Roger Gale and regional public affairs manager Richard Hall explained that Bromsgrove is one of 42 branches across the UK identified as loss making.

They said the decision has therefore been taken to franchise out the service to another town centre retailer and to sell the current building.

Despite Mr Javid presenting a petition against the closure from Bromsgrove residents, the Post Office representatives said the decision to franchise still stands.

Mr Javid said: "Post Office Ltd. were resolute there’s no room to change their minds on this commercial decision. My priority is to find the best result for residents.

We need good access to our post service and no one wants an empty shop on the high street. I pushed for all possible options to be considered".

Responding to concerns about access for wheelchairs and pushchairs, as well as queueing space, Mr Javid said: "I also want to update residents that I was guaranteed there will be no compulsory redundancies and that there will soon be a six week public consultation on proposals – which legally must have fill access for the disabled customers."

The Post Office has not indicated when a decision on the new location for the branch will be announced.