FIVE post offices in Rochdale face the axe, it has been confirmed.
Branches at Buersil, Caldermoor, Smithy Bridge, Oulder Hill and Spotland Road are all set to close. Lower Rushcroft and Buckstones Road in Shaw are also on the under threat list released by Post Office Ltd today.
A six-week public consultation is now underway. The announcement was greeted with anger and dismay by campaigners.
Councillor Peter Evans, who represents Smithy Bridge, said the closures would hit those who could least afford it.
He added: “There are a lot of pensioners in Smithy Bridge who rely on the post office and to lose it would be disastrous. People have been saying it won’t happen round here, but now it has and a lot of people will be badly affected.
“We need to readdress post office services so they focus on the needs of people rather than just the bank balance.”
MP Paul Rowen said: “We believe the Government should be doing much more to keep them open rather than allowing them to shut. The Government has scrapped the idea of using post offices as banks but as an increasing number of banks shut this is worth looking at again.
“We will be leafleting all affected communities, suggesting people sign our petition, make their objections known and use the post offices more.”
Richard Lynds, Post Office Ltd’s network development manager for the North West, said: “Taking the decision to close any post office is always very difficult and we know it will cause concern to many of our customers.
“We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on, or has any concern with post office services is fully aware of the proposed changes and able to give views on them.
“Post Office Ltd’s aim is to continue to provide essential services and support retail businesses and the local economy in as many communities as possible.
“We believe these proposals offer the best prospect for any sustainable way forward for post office services in this area.”
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Anglosaxon, Norden (10/06/2008 at 17:50)
Commuter (11/06/2008 at 09:46)
JonnyC (11/06/2008 at 14:38)
Big Brother (11/06/2008 at 17:49)
If the business isn't there and money can be saved then quite rightthey should be shut down.
Most of these as AS said are used for them collecting the Dole Money .... yous hould see the one Milkstone Road, queues of people witing to collect the dodgy benefit claims ... why dontthey have them paid in their banks as DD because they dont have bank accounts on their names .... I know enough people who have scrounged of the system queuing up at Post Offices and bought Houses and never worked in their life ..... Ashton Gardens is street that comes to mind !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mandy40 (12/06/2008 at 00:15)
They get up at 6am and choose to get their pension at dinner time.
Then they get their pension, stamps, tv licence, electric , gas stamps and have a conversation with the post master about thier bunions .
Post offices are a nightmare. You queue for an hour for a stamp, because they sell too many produts.
The chief executive has been awarded a huge payout , lets just hope they send it to him via a cheque, that way he is sure never to get it.
Dancer, Littleborough (13/06/2008 at 13:52)