Postmaster in quit shock

Fylde counillor Mark Bamforth, 56, revealed he will step down from his role in Warton Street, Lytham, on Tuesday.

Coun Bamforth, whose family has owned the post office for more than 50 years, fought to keep the business open on several occasions, despite attempts by the Post Office to close the branch as part of a cost-cutting and modernisation project.

He revealed it is now “unlikely” the Post Office and shop, which first opened in 1882, will remain open, but said he would work hard to provide a replacement postal service in the town.

He said: “It is with great sadness I have tendered my resignation to Post Office Ltd.

“I am leaving on ill health as I have been off for several weeks and I have let you all down with the office being closed.

“I would just like to say a huge thank you to all customers that have given me and my late father, Jack, and mother, Betty, the tremendous support over the last 51 years.

“I will be working closely with Post Office Ltd to provide a service to replace Warton Street and to support the new postmaster.”

He added: “All the customers are like family and as quite a lot have said, you have seen me grow up.

“It’s been a very emotional day and will be for sometime, especially when the door closes for good. Thank you for all your concerns and support just now and in the past.”

Coun Bamforth, who revealed he will stay on as a councillor, has battled to keep the community service open since 2008, when the branch was first earmarked for closure.

Hundreds of residents marched through the streets of Lytham to keep the branch open and in April, he won a 12-month reprieve for the business after more than 660 residents signed a petition to keep the counter in Warton Street.

Fylde Council leader Coun Sue Fazackerley said: “He has done a very good job in that part of Lytham in his professional life and a local point of contact for the council.

“He is a bit of a Lytham institution and a lot of people hold him in high esteem.”