Liz McInnes MP launches fight to save Heywood Post Office

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

The Post Office on Hind Hill Street

Liz McInnes, Member of Parliament for Heywood and Middleton, has launched a petition against plans to close Heywood Post Office on Hind Hill Street and hand over responsibility for the service to an as-yet-unknown retailer on Market Street.

The Post Office have launched a public consultation on the plans and residents can submit their views until 3 April online at www.postofficeviews.co.uk.

As well as taking part in the consultation, Liz is asking people to sign her petition asking the Post Office to reconsider, and calling on the Government to protect this public service and develop a sustainable plan for its future.

Liz McInnes MP said: “I am completely opposed to these plans for Heywood Post Office. As I said recently when I fought the closure of Middleton Post Office, closing flagship branches, getting rid of experienced staff and putting counters in the back of shops is not the plan for growth or innovation that the Post Office network so desperately needs, and it is not the level of service that the public should expect.

"At best these relentless closures point to a lack of vision, and at worst it suggests a managed decline of a public asset.

"I am especially concerned that a valuable public service is being handed over to an unidentified business. It is concerning enough that branches such as Middleton’s are being given to WH Smith – a major retailer, but themselves facing uncertainty and the closure of stores – but what Heywood residents are being asked to accept is a complete leap into the unknown.

"As well as submitting your comments to the consultation, we need to make clear the strength of feeling in our town about this proposal. Post Office services are too valuable to risk. Please sign my petition so we can tell the Post Office and the Government that Heywood opposes this appalling treatment of a public asset."

Heywood North Councillors are also opposed to the plans.

Councillor Ray Dutton said: “I totally oppose these plans. This is the thin end of the wedge – we’ve already lost Dunnes, bank branches are closing, and now we might lose the current Post Office building as well. Putting it in the back of an unknown convenience store won’t serve the community of Heywood well, and I will do all I can to fight it.”

Councillor Liam O’Rourke said: “The Post Office is a valuable public asset and I’m very worried about the impact of this on our town centre. We have no idea what the new premises will be or who will be responsible for providing this essential service, and that simply isn’t good enough.”

Councillor Peter Rush said: “I am totally against these proposals for Heywood Post Office, and I urge all local residents to sign the petition and submit comments to the consultation. Let’s show the Post Office and the Government that we won’t stand by while public services are managed in this way.”

The petition can be signed online at:

• www.lizmcinnesmp.org.uk/campaigns/saveheywoodpostoffice