Blast for bosses over rescue plan
THE leader of Blackpool Council has launched a blistering attack on Post Office Ltd.
Coun Peter Callow claims Post Office bosses are being obstructive and uncooperative as the council bids to mount a business rescue plan for Layton's Torsway Avenue branch.
Similar rescue plans in South Shore and Bispham have already been scuppered by the refusal of Post Office Ltd to negotiate with the council.
With less than two weeks to go before the Layton branch closes, council officers were working on the rescue plans on the understanding that the branch would remain open while negotiations continued
But that appears not to be the case, with Post Office confirming that the branch will close on April 30.
The plan, if it comes to fruition, would see the branch take on council services such as the sale of leisure passes, the distribution of leaflets and possibly benefit-related payments.
Coun Callow said: "It's disgraceful the way they are behaving.
"The way they are going about things is obstructive and it feels like we're having to go it alone.
"They don't seem interested in the compromise of us keeping the branch open even if it would mean no cost to them.
"I said about a week ago that their efforts at negotiations could be a sham – well I'm saying now they are a sham.
"We have been working very hard on this and they seem to be playing games with us and the people of Blackpool.
"It's deplorable."
A Post Office Ltd spokesman said: "We are very willing to work with Blackpool Council on their plans to fund a post office service at Torsway Avenue.
“However, the branch is still due to close on Wednesday April 30.”
The branch was among three in Blackpool to be earmarked for closure, along with eight others across the Fylde coast, as part of a nationwide cost-cutting programme aimed at stemming reported losses of 4m a week.
Postmaster Julian Wigley has been hailed for providing a vital service, particularly to the nearby Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
Coun Callow, however, did confirm that plans to keep the office open were progressing after council officers received details of the branch’s accounts.
In the meantime, Coun Callow pleaded with customers to continue to use the branch.
“It’s more important than ever that if people want the post office on Torsway Avenue to stay open that they keep using it,” he said.
“As it is threatened with closure I am concerned people may go to another branch or even think that it is closed already.
“That is not the case and local residents need to continue to use it.”
Petition
Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden, meanwhile, has written to Post Office Ltd chief executive Alan Cook to register his opposition to the company’s decision not to support a rescue bid for the St Annes Road office in South Shore.
Mr Marsden has asked Mr Cook to reconsider the decision to shun plans by the council to relocate the branch into Palatine Library.
The Gazette’s Stand up for Post Offices campaign saw vast support.
More than 9,000 people signed a petition asking bosses to rethink the decision to close the offices.
One branch, Lytham’s Warton Street post office, was saved and will remain open.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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