Any Garrison residents who tried to go to the Spar Shop and Post Office in Venning Road today would have got a nasty surprise – literally overnight the shop has been closed, apparently for good, the justification being the two break-ins that have occurred in recent weeks. The statement from the MoD suggests that the shop will be transferred to a more secure location within the base itself, which is of absolutely no use to the numerous local civillian residents who use the shop and in particular use the Post Office which until today was the only Post Office in Arborfield following the closure of the other Post Office on the Eversley Road a few years ago.
Anybody who now needs a post office now has a round trip in excess of three miles to either Barkham or California Crossroads – so much for creating a sustainable community here as pretty well everyone will now end up driving rather than walking to the convenient location in the middle of the Garrison here.
We released the press release below commenting on the closure, and Gill Purchase talked to Phil Kennedy on BBC Berkshire earlier this evening about the closure (Gill’s interview can be heard from 1:16:20 on iPlayer). The radio station is keen to keep up with the story so if you have any comment on the closure, and the difficulties it will cause please give them a call on their usual number 0345 900 1041, or text BERKS and your message to 81333. The Wokingham Times is also going to include the story tomorrow, so again please contact them with any comments.
Whilst there has been an increase in crime recently, the crime figures show that this is normally a quiet and peaceful area – certainly two out of the ordinary incidents are no justification for the overnight closure of the only shop in Arborfield Garrison, and the Post Office for the whole village without any form of consultation.
