Elderly hit by Preston Post Office closures!

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.”