Plea to see post office accounts
POST Office bosses have been accused of "dragging their feet", as Blackpool bids to save its soon-to-close branches.
Senior council officials are pursuing a rescue plan to try to safeguard the future of Layton's Torsway Avenue post office and are also looking at ways to keep offices open at Harcourt Road, South Shore and Red Bank Road, Bispham.
But, according to council leader Coun Peter Callow, discussions have now stalled with the council waiting for clearance to look at the accounts of the three offices.
The authority signed a deal last week that they thought would allow them to see the books of the three branches.
But that has not yet happened and Coun Callow wants to know: "What's the hold up?
"We haven't had the financial details yet and I want to know why," he said.
"Are they genuine about these negotiations or are they a PR exercise?
"We have now spoken with the three postmasters and need to see the books to find out whether it is viable to progress with this but this is being held up.
"It's very unsatisfactory."
Coun Callow insisted time was the essence with offices due to shut at the end of the month.
He said: "They are making it very difficult and it would be very hard to re-open the businesses once they close.
"I think this is a smoke screen and we've been forced to contact the Government asking them to speed up the process."Post Office Ltd said it was willing to work with the council."
A spokesman said: "We are very willing to work with local authorities and other groups who want to fund and provide premises and staff for, additional services.
"We will provide Blackpool Council with financial information on the post offices in confidence as soon as possible."
The Gazette's Stand up for Post Offices campaign saw vast support for branches in Blackpool and the Fylde coast.
More than 9,000 people signed a petition asking bosses to rethink the decision to close 12 Fylde branches.
One branch, Lytham's Warton Street post office, was saved.
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Monday 13 February 2012
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