POST Office managers have agreed to think again over giving Summertown a new post office.

Campaigners have been arguing for three years that a post office branch is needed in the Banbury Road shopping parade.

But last October the Post Office vetoed the idea, saying there was “insufficient demand”.

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood and Liberal Democrat city councillor Jean Fooks met Post Office stakeholder manager Simon Burman at Westminster on Tuesday to press the case for a new branch.

They believe the announcement by Sainsbury’s that it is opening a new store in the spring – the area’s fourth supermarket – shows a new branch could pay its way.

Ms Fooks said: “It was a positive meeting and I hope we have persuaded the Post Office that it would be viable to reinstate a branch in Summertown.

“Oxfordshire County Council is one of 25 local authorities discussing with Post Office Ltd how new services can be provided as part of a review of the current network.

“There is now a £1.34bn commitment from Postal Affairs Minister Ed Davey to invest in the network over the next four years.”

Ms Blackwood said the deal would secure services without resorting to branch closures.

She added: “Post Office officials agreed to speak to me again in the coming weeks as they continue to examine local post office provision and the viability of a Summertown location.

“A post office could play a vital social role in the heart of the community and be an incredibly important resource, and I will keep making that case.”

Summertown’s former Post Office branch, at Martins newsagents, closed in 2008.

Post Office spokesman Valerie Antoine said: “We are continuing to review the economic viability of a post office branch for Summertown and will keep the local MP and councillors informed.”