MP concerned for Middleton town centre as Santander and Post Office set to close

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

Middleton Post Office

Liz McInnes, MP for Heywood and Middleton, spoke in Parliament last week (Thursday 14 February 2019) about the worrying potential impact of Santander and the Crown Post Office closing in Middleton town centre.

Ms McInnes has previously raised this in Parliament, including directly with the Prime Minister, and has expressed her concern about the future of town centres and the loss of essential services such as banks and post offices.

Before Christmas Ms McInnes launched a petition against the closure of the post office which has since attracted more than 1,000 signatures.

She said: “Town centres everywhere are in decline, and sadly neither Heywood nor Middleton are immune to changing shopping habits and economic pressures.

"But while we can’t lay the blame for struggling town centres solely at the doors of Santander and other banks closing their branches, the big banks do need to acknowledge their community responsibilities.

"When they close a branch, they cut footfall, reduce access for elderly and disabled customers, and cause problems for small businesses in the area. Each branch closure chips away at our once thriving town centres.

"In Heywood and Middleton we’ve lost several bank branches in recent years, and the Middleton Crown Post Office is also earmarked for closure.

"Our town centres face plenty of challenges already, and the closure of essential services such as banks and post offices is just making the situation worse.”

Residents can sign Liz’s petition against the closure of Middleton Post Office at:

• www.lizmcinnesmp.org.uk/campaigns/middletonpostoffice/