Fears have grown that elderly residents are set to lose out after four post offices in Preston close their doors in a month’s time.
A six week consultation into the proposals for the doomed post offices ended on March 3, with details published today of closure dates.
Branches in Leyland, Chorley, Lancaster and rural parts of Preston are also set to get the chop.
Councillor Terry Cartwright, ward leader for Deepdale, Preston said: “I just don’t understand. These are busy branches that are being closed down. If there was no business it would make sense. But that’s not the case.”
“I’ve tried all I can to keep the post office in my ward open, to no avail.”
Terry criticised the government for their decision to axe the Deepdale Road office.
He said: “Post offices are the hub of the community, a place where customers go for advice and help for many different issues.”
The closure of four post offices in Preston may not only spell the end of a traditional focal point for the local community, but also damage the environment.
Postmasters and local MP’s fear the closure of branches in Preston and the Fylde will mark an increase in short car journeys, as people are forced to travel further to reach their nearest branch.
Postmaster Mark Bamforth, of Warton Street Post Office, Lytham said the proposals went against the government’s plans to go green and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
“If 2,500 post offices close nationwide, just think how many shorter car journeys will be made as a result of this, and how these will contribute to increasing congestion?” He asked.
The Post Office response was that the programme of closures was necessary to provide a sustainable future for the Post Office, after years of neglect and underinvestment.
Councillor Vali Patel, representing Preston Central South from Lancashire County Council, supports the proposals: “There isn’t really a role for post offices in society today. Business at local post offices is diminishing due to the expansion of modern technologies such as the internet.”
Branches in Deepdale Road and Acregate are in some of the most deprived areas of Preston, where car patronage is also low. Councillor Patel fears some of these factors haven’t been taken into account.
“The proposals need to take into consideration the needs of vulnerable people such as the old, disabled, the poor and people in under privileged communities.”
“These are the people who really rely on their local post office.”
Postmasters have been reluctant to speak out about the closures amid threats they will not receive full compensation if they talk. However some have commented anonymously.
A Preston postmaster said: “It’s going to greatly affect the community. There’s a big elderly population in the area.”
“The post office provides an essential service for the elderly. Some of our customers don’t have bank accounts and rely on the post office to draw out their pensions.”
With no direct bus link from Acregate to the nearest branch, the journey for Preston’s elderly is set to get harder.
Joyce Shepherd, a pensioner from Crompton Street, Preston thinks the impact this will have on the elderly will be great.
“Some people already struggle to get to the post office. The walk to the nearest branch will be too far for lots of people but there isn’t an alternative.”
“I’ve lived and worked my whole life in Preston and always put back into the system, this is the thanks we get.”
Dennis Scott, 72, of Milner Street, Preston said: “I rely on the post office in Deepdale Road. I know the government is trying to make cut backs but I don’t see why they have to take away essential services in the process.”
Councillor Vali Patel defended Lancashire County Councils decision not to take over the closing post offices.
He said: “The council has looked into running some services but it is a costly matter and would lead to vast amounts of money being tied up, when they could be better spent on other things.”
The future for local postmasters remains uncertain, as Councillor Cartwright commented: “Some postmasters are taking severance pay from the Post Office and retiring. For others this simply isn’t an option so they are turning their post offices into convenience stores.”
“Obviously some will be left unemployed at the end of it, which is appalling.”
Sunday 20 April 2008
Post Office in Lytham saved from the chop!
Lytham’s doomed post office was today saved from the axe, while 11 others around the Fylde coast will close within a month.
After a six week consultation, Post Office bosses announced Lytham’s Warton Street branch would remain open to the public.
This comes after hundreds of angry people joined a mass protest through Lytham’s streets to save their local post office.
Postmaster Mark Bamforth was ecstatic with the news: “We were overjoyed when we heard the news. The family have worked here for 44 years; my mum still works with us. It’s as much a part of us as it is a part of the local community.”
“All our customers are so happy and relieved that their hard work has paid off and their local branch is staying open.”
However, as people in Lytham celebrated, locals in Wigan were outraged when their post office was added to the list of branches to shut in the North West.
Newburgh post office in Wigan will close in replacement for Warton Street, Lytham.
Ann Maudsley, 67, of Ranleigh Drive, Wigan said: “Why should our local post office close because another one has stayed open. They shouldn’t be closing at all. It’s ridiculous.”
Mark shared his unhappiness with this decision, “Obviously we’re dismayed that the branch in Wigan might have to shut instead of us. It shouldn’t be tit for tat.”
The campaign to keep the post office in Lytham open, headed by Fylde MP Michael Jacks and Mark and his family, saw over 2000 people sign petitions and march through Lytham’s streets.
Mark said: “It was an overwhelming, emotional day. People of all ages, some who had never protested about anything in their lives, joined us to show their support.”
“There was a great sense of community that day and that’s something that is becoming rare these days.”
Old industrial land in Lytham Quays is being developed to provide over 200 new houses and flats. The influx of people and proposed regeneration in the area will place extra demand on resources already struggling to cope.
Mark said: “Lytham is going to rapidly grow over the next few years. Hundreds of new homes and flats are being built.”
“If our office closed, the other branches would have been put under too much pressure.”
The nearest branch from the Warton Street office, over half a mile away would have made an already difficult journey impossible for some of Lytham’s elderly residents.
Mark said: “The council said inconvenienced customers could use the bus to travel to nearby branches. They don’t take into account though that the elderly and people with buggies can’t even get on them because the platforms are too high.”
Concerns were also expressed with vulnerable elderly people travelling further. Mark commented: “In today’s unsafe society their safety would be greatly compromised if they have to travel further with their money.”
Richard Collins, 51, of Mythop Road, Lytham said: “My mother comes here every week for her pension. She’s independent but finds it hard to get around. We both felt very strongly about the proposals and joined the demonstrations to keep the post office open.”
Julie Broadley, 46, of Ballam Road, Lytham added: “It’s not just a post office. Mark and his family have been here as long as I can remember. Everyone knows them. It’s a great achievement for them and the people in the community that it’s staying open.”
Campaigns to save other blacklisted post offices in Lancashire are on going. However, Post Office bosses released initial closure dates this week, making their futures look uncertain.
After a six week consultation, Post Office bosses announced Lytham’s Warton Street branch would remain open to the public.
This comes after hundreds of angry people joined a mass protest through Lytham’s streets to save their local post office.
Postmaster Mark Bamforth was ecstatic with the news: “We were overjoyed when we heard the news. The family have worked here for 44 years; my mum still works with us. It’s as much a part of us as it is a part of the local community.”
“All our customers are so happy and relieved that their hard work has paid off and their local branch is staying open.”
However, as people in Lytham celebrated, locals in Wigan were outraged when their post office was added to the list of branches to shut in the North West.
Newburgh post office in Wigan will close in replacement for Warton Street, Lytham.
Ann Maudsley, 67, of Ranleigh Drive, Wigan said: “Why should our local post office close because another one has stayed open. They shouldn’t be closing at all. It’s ridiculous.”
Mark shared his unhappiness with this decision, “Obviously we’re dismayed that the branch in Wigan might have to shut instead of us. It shouldn’t be tit for tat.”
The campaign to keep the post office in Lytham open, headed by Fylde MP Michael Jacks and Mark and his family, saw over 2000 people sign petitions and march through Lytham’s streets.
Mark said: “It was an overwhelming, emotional day. People of all ages, some who had never protested about anything in their lives, joined us to show their support.”
“There was a great sense of community that day and that’s something that is becoming rare these days.”
Old industrial land in Lytham Quays is being developed to provide over 200 new houses and flats. The influx of people and proposed regeneration in the area will place extra demand on resources already struggling to cope.
Mark said: “Lytham is going to rapidly grow over the next few years. Hundreds of new homes and flats are being built.”
“If our office closed, the other branches would have been put under too much pressure.”
The nearest branch from the Warton Street office, over half a mile away would have made an already difficult journey impossible for some of Lytham’s elderly residents.
Mark said: “The council said inconvenienced customers could use the bus to travel to nearby branches. They don’t take into account though that the elderly and people with buggies can’t even get on them because the platforms are too high.”
Concerns were also expressed with vulnerable elderly people travelling further. Mark commented: “In today’s unsafe society their safety would be greatly compromised if they have to travel further with their money.”
Richard Collins, 51, of Mythop Road, Lytham said: “My mother comes here every week for her pension. She’s independent but finds it hard to get around. We both felt very strongly about the proposals and joined the demonstrations to keep the post office open.”
Julie Broadley, 46, of Ballam Road, Lytham added: “It’s not just a post office. Mark and his family have been here as long as I can remember. Everyone knows them. It’s a great achievement for them and the people in the community that it’s staying open.”
Campaigns to save other blacklisted post offices in Lancashire are on going. However, Post Office bosses released initial closure dates this week, making their futures look uncertain.
Monday 25 February 2008
Entertainment News 25th Feb 08!
Javine gives birth!Singer Javine gave birth to a baby girl over the weekend. The singer and her infamous partner Harver plan to name her Angel, perhaps after Mel B's baby?! Javine gave birth to her daughter early on Saturday, in hospital at Tooting, South London. Both are said to be doing well.
Radcliffe wins unexpected award!
Harry Potter star Daniel Radciffe won an award last night. However it wasnt for his brilliant acting skills, but for stripping off and bearing all in West End play Equus. The now famous publicity shots of Daniel with his bits out were named "Theatre Event Of The Year" in an online vote for the whatsonstage.com awards. The actor was said to be "delighted" with the award!
Beckham's sister in drunken nightclub fight!
Joanne Beckham, sister of world magastar David, was witnessed having a punch up last night with alias Danielle Lloyd at the infamous Faces nightclub in Essex, how classy! Tottenham Hotspurs football team were there celebrating and it seems the girls came to blows over one of the footballers they both had their eye on. An onlooker reportedly said: "One minute they were chatting, next thing we knew, they were scrapping. Joanne pulled out one of Dan's hair extensions and Danielle scratched Joanne's face. Danielle was quickly led out of the club and put in a car – she could hardly stand, she was so drunk." David must be so proud!
Entertainment News 22nd Feb 08!
Cheryl takes Ashley back!Cheryl Cole reportedly left the Brits after party early to return home to spend the night with love rat husband Ashley Cole. Instead of partying into the night with fellow bandmates to celebrate their first Brits nomination, she was whisked off in the back of a blacked out car to the couples mansion in Surrey. One friend was reported saying: "Cheryl is close to taking Ashley back. She's a bloody fool for even considering it, but she doesn't care about that. He's told her he's a changed man."
Gascoigne on suicide watch!
On Thursday, Paul Gascoigne was sectioned under the mental health act. Reportedly, the former England star has been on a destructive two-month drink & drugs binge, which has resulted him landing himself in a secure psychiatric unit in hospital. During this time, he has been witnessed wandering around naked, talking to toy parrots and eating raw liver. He's been in and out of rehab since 1998, and has been vocal about his battle with alcohol addiction ever since. However, it seems this latest path of binges had tipped him over the edge.
Wednesday 20 February 2008
Entertainment News 20th Feb 08!
Brits performance in balance!
Amy Winehouse's performance at tonights Brit Awards hangs in the balance after she missed a crucial dress rehearsal upon learning that her imprisoned husband Blake was trading signed pictures of her for heroin. After not showing up at the rehearsal on monday, it is uncertain whether her medley performance tonight with Mark Ronson, Adele and Daniel Merriweather will go ahead. It's said Blake has sent her off the rails again after she has been working so hard to pull herself together for tonights event. However, the Brit awards may not be the only thing hanging in the balance, sources close to the star cliam Blake's latest antics have pusheded Amy even closer to chucking him for good.
Tonights Brit Awards ceremony will have a 30 second delay to allow producers to censor any naughties the Osbournes have planned. Sharon and Ozzy who both have a notorious reputation for their naughty antics, will present tonights show from the comfort of their very own custom made thrones. So the only people who will know what really goes on will be the lucky few who managed to get tickets!
Amy Winehouse's performance at tonights Brit Awards hangs in the balance after she missed a crucial dress rehearsal upon learning that her imprisoned husband Blake was trading signed pictures of her for heroin. After not showing up at the rehearsal on monday, it is uncertain whether her medley performance tonight with Mark Ronson, Adele and Daniel Merriweather will go ahead. It's said Blake has sent her off the rails again after she has been working so hard to pull herself together for tonights event. However, the Brit awards may not be the only thing hanging in the balance, sources close to the star cliam Blake's latest antics have pusheded Amy even closer to chucking him for good.
Cheryl Blanks Ashley!
Instead of meeting at there Surrey mansion last night with husband Ashley Cole for crisis talks, Cheryl decided to spend the night relaxing in a swanky West London hotel to prepare herself for tonights Brits. She wont be returning home after the ceremony either, friends say Cheryl is up for partying after the show has finished and celebrating Girls Aloud's first ever nomination for a Brit award, Best Group. They cliamed Cheryl has returned from holiday a different woman, and doesnt want to go to the Brits feeling miserable and upset. Instead she wants to step out with her head held high looking gorgeous. Good on ya girl!
Liz tightens purse strings!
Liz Hurley, a lady of much wealth, has made the headlines today with a former housemaid of hers claiming that she was only paid £100 a week by the actress, thats just £1.20 per hour!! Violet D'Souza has also claimed that she worked up to 70 hours a week, cleaning, cooking and babysitting and sought legal advice after being unfairly dismissed by Liz. However, the claims have since been dropped with rumours of a five-figure out of court settlement being agreed by Liz.
Brits bosses plan to stop Osbournes bleeping!
Tonights Brit Awards ceremony will have a 30 second delay to allow producers to censor any naughties the Osbournes have planned. Sharon and Ozzy who both have a notorious reputation for their naughty antics, will present tonights show from the comfort of their very own custom made thrones. So the only people who will know what really goes on will be the lucky few who managed to get tickets!
Tuesday 19 February 2008
Entertainment News 19th Feb 08!
Jordan's Drug Binge!Reports in this weekends tabliods claimed revelations that Katie Price had been on a drug binge that left her suicidal. However, she's now rapidly trying to dig herself out of the hole she has created, insisting the drugs were prescription drugs and not cocaine as was presumed. Kaite took the drugs behind husband Peter Andre's back in a bid to try and overcome her battle with postnatal depression, but refusues to name what the substance actually was. Some are claiming it's all just part of a clever publicity stunt however as her new book, Jordan: Pushed To The Limit, has just been released.
Blake's in trouble again!
Although he's in prison, Blake Fielder-Civil is still uo to no good. It emerged over the weekend he's been getting wife, Amy Winehouse, to sign pictures of herself so that he can trade them in for heroin with his cellmate, who is then selling them online to fans. Currently serving his sentence in London's Pentonville Prison, Blake's failure to kick his drug habit has already led to him spending a lot of time in solitary confinement, going cold turkey.
Are they coming or going?
After quitting their Channel 4 chat show four months ago, Richard & Judy are in talks with other major UK channels that could see them bag a £4million deal. A source at Cactus TV, the makers of the show, revealed the pair are in major talks with various TV stations ot buy the format of the show. Possible channels include BBC, Sky, Five and even ITV. It was revealed the couple want to sign over the show's format to another station to see it become part of broadcasting history, and possibly earn them a few extra quid aswel.
It's make or break time for Cheryl & Ashley!
Cheryl Cole will meet her love rat husband Ashley tonight for talks that will decide the future of their marraige. The singer, who spent the last ten days out of the country, relaxing in Thailand and partying in L.A with fellow bandmates Nicola and Kimberley, has had plenty of time to think about her relationship with Ashley and whether she can forgive him or show him the red card once and for all. Meanwhile, Ashley was reportedly bragging to fellow team mates that he can win back his wife but doesnt yet know what to expect when they meet face to face. Cheryl will travel back to their Surrey mansion this evening before putting abrave face on for tomorrow night's Brits.
Another blow for Lily!
Lily Allen is reportedly "gutted" after being axed as the face of Agent Provocateur. The singer, who has had a difficult start to 2008, put herself on a strict diet and gym regime to prepare herself to take over from Kate Moss, who was the previous face of the brand. Lily was ditched over a row between the bosses, Joe Corre and Serena Ress, who are currently divorcing. Serena picked Lily but Joe vetoed the decision. It's not all been a waste of time though because the pictures will still be used in a magazine editorial by the brand.
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