Post Office Shuts Shop

7.09.07am UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 24th Jul 2004

News that two of the four local Post Offices in Whalley Range face closure is "A disaster", says Liberal Democrat Councillor John Grant.

Local Liberal Democrats have reacted angrily to the Labour Government's plans to close up to a quarter of the city's post offices. The announcement came at the end of last week and the closures will be a major part of debate in the City Council this coming Wednesday.

Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Manchester Central Constituency Cllr Marc Ramsbottom called the decision a disgrace and vowed to mount a vigorous campaign to fight the closures which would see 5 of 21 Post Offices in Manchester Central Constituency closed. Two of those under threat are in the Whalley Range area of the city, one on Clarendon Road and the other on Upper Chorlton Road.

"Post Offices provide a vital local service and must be kept open. Many local people rely on Post Offices to get their pension, receive their benefits or to send a letter. Closure will lead to great inconvenience, especially for the elderly and those that are not so mobile" says Cllr Ramsbottom.

Local LibDem councillor John Grant speaking for the three local councillors added "This news is devastating. We thought one might be earmarked for closure but we are shocked it's two? It's too much. It follows on the closure of the doctor's surgery. The heart is being taken out of Whalley Range. The Post Office tells us everyone will live within a mile of a post office but how do you get there on foot if you don't have a car, or you are elderly or infirm? No-one is interested in making these local post offices that offer local services viable. Privatisation is becoming the Killer"

People have until the 8th of September to object, but Cllr Ramsbottom is not hopeful that the Post Office or the Government will listen. He also slammed Central Manchester Labour MP Tony Lloyd for shedding "crocodile tears" over the closures when he voted for the enabling legislation put forward by the Labour Government in parliament, which is allowing this to happen.

ENDS

For further information or photos please contact Cllr John Grant on 077823 02338

Or Cllr Marc Ramsbottom on 07976352513