Post Offices - one saved, six for the axe!

Ann Sutton, Paul Rowen MP and Councillor Greg Couzens with his daughters

It has now been confirmed that six Post Offices in the Rochdale Borough face the axe, only Spotland Road Post Office has been saved. The potential closures, part of the Government’s Post Office closure planwill be officially announced next week. Rochdale Borough Council will now step in and start negotiations with Post Office Limited aiming to pay the Government subsidy and keep willing branches open. The list of decisions:

• Spotland Road Post Office – Saved
• Buersil Post Office – Axed
• Caldermoor Post Pffice – Axed
• Hopwood Post Office – Axed
• Bowness Post Office – Axed
• Oulder Hill Post Office – Axed
• Smithybridge Post Office - Axed

Paul Rowen MP, who did a shift in Buersil Post Office earlier this week said: “Of course I am devastated for the Post Offices that face closure. I hope that our unique plan to save the others will mean a lifeline for the threatened branches. I am pleased for Sheila and the team at Spotland Road but feel for the others. It is my view that the consultation team have ignored the arguments we set out. For all intents and purposes many of the decisions that the team made were a sham – they had already made their minds up.

“The decision to close Buersil is particularly disappointing when you consider the current situation at Lowerplace and the fact the Post Office at The Strand will close indefinitely because of the regeneration. This means that local residents in that area, many of whom are elderly face a journey of many miles to collect what is rightfully theirs. I have written a letter to Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of Post Office Limited making these points and calling for a review into this decision that will affect so many.”

Spotland and Falinge Ward Councillor Greg Couzens said: “I am delighted this popular Post Office will remain serving the people of Rochdale for the foreseeable future. I worked hard with my colleagues Peter Clegg and Barbara Todd, alongside Paul Rowen MP, to save this valuable community service. I am sorry that many others are not so fortunate and their Post Office faces an uncertain future. I know that the Council though are working hard to find the way to save them.”

Heywood Councillor Peter Rush has launched an attack on Post Office Ltd after hearing of their decision to close Hopwood Post Office.

He said: “The closure of this popular, convenient Post Office is a massive blow to Heywood and I worry about the effect on local businesses. Evidence shows that where Post Offices close – local businesses see a huge loss of custom.

"This consultation was a sham and it’s clear that they had already made their minds up. Our Post Office is one of 2,500 nationally that are closing. I would like to thank the hundreds of local people who signed my petition – unfortunately they have been ignored. This closure means a trek of many miles to their nearest service…it’s a disgrace.”