Liz McInnes MP launches petition to save Middleton post office

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Middleton Post Office

Liz McInnes, Member of Parliament for Heywood and Middleton, has launched a petition to keep Middleton Post Office open following news that the Post Office are planning to close the branch on Manchester New Road in 2019.

The petition can be signed online at www.lizmcinnesmp.org.uk/campaigns/middletonpostoffice/

Liz McInnes MP says: “The Post Office are proposing to close Middleton Post Office and franchise it to WH Smith, putting jobs and services at risk.

“The Post Office – which is entirely owned by the Government – intend to close the Middleton branch along with 74 others around the country, following on from the closure of 150 branches in the last five years.

“Closing flagship branches such as Middleton, getting rid of experienced staff and putting counters in the back of a WH Smith is not the plan for growth or innovation that the Post Office network so desperately needs, and it is not the level of service that the public should expect. At best these relentless closures point to a lack of vision, and at worst it suggests a managed decline of a public asset.

“Also, of concern is the uncertainty about the future of WH Smith, who have recently announced closures of some of their high street stores across the country. It makes little sense and is a huge risk to relocate vital Post Office services into a business which is closing stores, and which might lose more.

“I’m asking residents to sign this petition so that we can make it clear to those making the final decision that we need our Post Office and we demand and expect better from this essential public service.”

For more information visit www.lizmcinnesmp.org.uk/campaigns/middletonpostoffice/, call Liz’s office on 01706 361135, or email her at liz.mcinnes.mp@parliament.uk