Manchester Council Agrees Lib Dem Initiative to Investigate Subsidy for Closed Post Office Branches

12.00.00am GMT Wed 8th Oct 2008

Manchester Liberal Democrats Get All-Party Agreement to Investigate Subsidy for Closed Post Offices

Following a motion from Manchester Liberal Democrats at this week's Council meeting, Manchester City Council will investigate the possibility of subsidising Post Offices closed in the city since 2003, as well as 5 Branches earmarked for closure by the Post Office in August in Levenshulme, Didsbury, Withington, Harpurhey and Crumpsall.

Manchester Lib Dem Leader Cllr Simon Ashley, who proposed the motion, said:

"Liberal Democrats have campaigned hard to save our local Post Offices. I am pleased that this week Labour Councillors also supported our motion on the future of closed Post Office branches. This decision offers a lifeline to the 5 Post Offices earmarked for closure in August, and the chance to re-open 23 branches closed by the Post Office across the city since 2003."

Finance spokesperson and Withington Councillor Simon Wheale added:

"Our motion doesn't write a blank cheque. It allows Council Officers to investigate how much subsidy is needed to keep these Post Offices open, and come back with a plan. This is good news for those campaigning to keep local Post offices open."

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