Best foot foward for barefoot Post Office protest

Jay Patel from Buersil Post Office and local resident Pat Colclough with petitions

The campaign to save Buersil Post Office will take an unusual step forward this Friday (4 July) as campaigners do a barefooted march from Buersil to their next nearest Post Office at Lower Place on Oldham Road.

The march follows the meeting held last week when over 150 people packed into St Mary's Church to discuss the closure and take part in a letter writing exercise based on saving the popular Post Office.

Postmaster Jay Patel said: "The reason for walking barefooted is to reflect the hardship that many of my elderly customers will have to go through to get to Lower Place Post Office. If we close then it will be another nail in the coffin of vital community services. The packed public meeting showed us that people do care and we are determined to do everything possible."

Rochdale's MP Paul Rowen said: "Petitions are coming in every day and we appreciate the support that we are receiving. Many of our most vulnerable residents will experience particular hardship with these suggested closures. That is why this march is an extremely imaginative idea and will give participants some idea of the problems faced by customers."

Ward Councillor Dale Mulgrew, who organised the meeting at St Mary's, said: "We hope as many people come and take this step into the unknown with us. Buersil Post Office is one of 2,500 that are closing nationally and protests are happening across the country - although probably not barefooted!"

The group is meeting outside Buersil Post Office at 1pm on Friday (4 July). Before setting off they will hear an update on the campaign from Postmaster Jay Patel, as well as local politicians.