POST Office bosses were today slammed for ignoring local people after it was revealed one of Blackpool's sub-post offices IS to be axed.
The Gazette has learned Layton's Torsway Avenue branch has received official confirmation the office will shut – despite a huge campaign to keep it open.
And the news – which comes as a blow to sub-postmaster Julian Wigley who has fought against the closure – was delivered just hours before MPs held a crucial vote on the future of Post Offices.
Read all Stand Up For Post Office storiesA Conservative bid to halt 2,500 closures nationwide was narrowly defeated in the Commons, despite a rebellion by a number of Labour MPs.
But Post Office Ltd had already made its position clear by pushing ahead with closing Torsway Avenue – despite more than 2,000 Layton residents signing petitions in an effort to save the family-run business.
Local ward councillor Sue Ridyard said: "I'm devastated.
"Layton's other post office, on Westcliffe Drive, is just far too far to walk.There are no sufficient bus routes as we've said time and again and it will mean many elderly residents have to walk an awful long way.
"It will be very interesting to see what reasons the Post Office give for the closure when they announce it, because we've produced many well-reasoned arguments against it.
"I don't know how they can be ignored."
Fifty-eight post offices are set to close in Lancashire – 12 across the Fylde coast – as part of brutal cost-cutting by mail chiefs.
As yet, there has been no confirmation which other Fylde offices on the hitlist will definitely close.
Staff from Torsway Avenue say they have been told by Post Office chiefs not to comment until an official announcement is made.
Earlier this month, Mr Wigley helped The Gazette deliver a 9,416-strong petition to Royal Mail bosses as part of the Stand Up For Post Offices campaign.
His fight for survival was backed by residents and workers in Layton. Torsway Avenue is considered a vital asset to both the local community and Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
The campaign was also supported by the Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden who signed the petition.
However, he, and fellow Blackpool Labour MP Joan Humble, voted against the Tory motion to order a halt to the closure programme, stating the opposition had not put forward any viable ways to save businesses
Blackpool Council leader, Coun Peter Callow, said he was horrified the Post Office was pushing ahead with the proposed closure, but he
offered a faint glimmer of hope.
He said: "This is a tragedy for Blackpool and the Layton area.
"We all know that post offices are the hub of the community and this one is clearly the lifeblood of the area.
"We're currently looking into a business rescue plan and have been for some time.
"Whether we will be able to carry that through, though, we don't know and there would have to be some will there from the Government."
A spokesman for Post Office Ltd said: "The final decision on the
future of post office branches in the Lancashire and Fylde with Southport area plan is scheduled to be announced on April 1."
It is believed Mr Wigley still plans to keep the Torsway Avenue office open as a shop.
The other under threat Fylde offices are situated in South Shore, Bispham, Lytham, Fleetwood, Poulton, Cleveleys, Churchtown, Elswick, Catforth, Out Rawcliffe and Singleton.
