Two Post Offices face axe in cut backs
03 October, 2007
It could be the end of the line for the Post Office on Meadow Road, Beeston Rylands and Sevenoaks Crescent, Bramcote Hills.
They were named in an announcement - the first of a planned 36 over the next nine months that will see a total of 2,500 post offices earmarked for closure – including 77 in the East Midlands.
The government announced cuts are needed as the current 14,000-strong network has been losing £4 million a week.
Six-week public consultations will be held in the affected areas.
“Exercise”
MP for Broxtowe, Nick Palmer, said: “The Post Office is repeating its exercise to see where post offices are no longer viable.
“This reflects the problem that 98% of new pensioners now choose to have their pensions paid directly into bank accounts, so the traditional mainstay of the business is dwindling.
“In many communities the post office remains a crucial local focus, and a closure in those circumstances is a tragedy for the community.
Rylands – No Post Office at all
“The Rylands proposal seems to me at first sight the worst – it would leave the entire community without a post office at all.
“The local Federation of Subpostmasters has urged me not to reject closures without consulting them (since sensible closures strengthen the other branches instead of having them all struggling) but I can't support that one, and will be campaigning against the proposal with the local councillors.
“For the other two I'd like to consult both the postmasters and local residents before deciding whether to oppose them.”
By The Editor.
