South Heighton Post Office closure could become permanent

1.47.33pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Aug 2006

Local Lib Dems have learned that the so-called temporary closure of South Heighton Post Office may in fact be made permanent. Villages all over the country have lost their Post Offices in recent years and it looks like South Heighton could be next.

Residents are concerned that any change of use for the site will prevent the shop from ever reopening again.

Lib Dem by-election candidate Peter Gardiner, who along with other local Lib Dems is calling for the reinstatement of the service, says: "This is very disappointing. First we were told it would be a temporary closure, which implies that the post office would be restored in the near future, but now it appears that this closure may become permanent.

"I will work to do everything I can to ensure that South Heighton gets its post office back as soon as possible."

Local County Councillor, Pat Ost, adds: "I have already written to the District Council expressing my concern at the closure. People in South Heighton make extensive use of their post office and it would be a terrible blow for them to lose it on a permanent basis. I will work with Peter and others in the local community to seek a resolution to this matter."

Gary Martin-Dufaur, who was until recently Chair of South Heighton Parish Council adds: "It is extremely disappointing that the Village Shop and Post Office has had to temporarily close. This building has been a Post Office for the last 60 years and been a shop since it was built in 1880.

The Parish Council will endeavour to keep its use as a shop and would oppose any change of use. Hopefully the Post Office can come up with a temporary location in the village until such time as the shop can be restored to a prosperous vital amenity it has been for the last 126 years."

If residents have been affected by the closure of the post office and have difficulty accessing other services they can contact the Post Office to voice their concerns directly on 0845 601 6260.