Axe looms over 65 post offices

Nov 7 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

PLANS to axe 65 post offices in Merseyside and Cheshire were yesterday met with protests and predictions the move would be disastrous for customers.

If results of a six-week consultation go against them, nine branches in Liverpool could close, along with four in Wirral, five in Knowsley and four in Sefton.

Some 371 post offices are set to remain open in the area and Post Offices bosses insist that more than 99% of people in the affected area will see no change to their service, or be within one mile of another branch.

But the City of Liverpool Conservatives have launched an online petition to save the branches and some post masters have urged residents to protest against the move.

Mohammed Noor, postmaster at Somerville branch, on Poulton Road, in Wallasey, said: “We are in a parade of shops and if we go, their business will be reduced too.

“I understand that there are too many post offices but others which are closer together in the area are being kept open.”

A worker at the Thurn Way branch in Gateacre Park who did not wish to be named added: “It is disgusting – we are the only branch in the area that has a car park and we serve so many elderly and disabled customers.

“Where are they going to go now? If a vehicle that drives them to the post office cannot park they are stuck.”

Jane Briginshaw, Post Office Ltd’s network development manager for the North West, defended the closures.

“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.”

FOR the full list of closures, go to www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk

lizawilliams