‘Post offices are the heart of our communities’ – Manchester councillors unite to oppose city-wide post office closures
Featured Image: Stephanie Rocke
Manchester councillors have unanimously voted to oppose the closure of local post offices across the city.
At a heated full council meeting earlier this week, councillors condemned the proposal, citing the detrimental impact on elderly and vulnerable residents, small businesses and the wider community.
The closures will force some residents to travel several miles to access services and is part of a national trend affecting Crown post offices. Post offices provide vital services beyond handling mail, including banking, pension access and bill payments.
At the full council meeting, residents spoke out against the proposed closures of Manchester post offices, including Harpurhey and Didsbury
Intervene
Suzanne Russell, Didsbury resident and a member of Save the Post Offices campaign, expressed anger and frustration at the proposed closure in her community and urged the council to intervene.
“Post offices are more than just places to send parcels. They are lifelines for the elderly who rely on them for face-to-face services and advice on protection against scams,” she said.
The closures would disproportionately affect the city’s most vulnerable residents, she added.
‘Post offices are more than just places to send parcels. They are lifelines for the elderly who rely on them’
Didsbury resident Suzanne Russell
“For many, especially those without access to online banking, post offices are the only option for managing their finances,” said Russell, who is a member of Saddlewood Avenue Neighbourhood Group.
Councillor Andrew Simcock introduced a motion to halt the closures, emphasising the irreplaceable expertise of post office staff and the vital role branch facilities play in community life.
He said MP Jeff Smith was arranging a meeting with Post Office Minister, Gareth Thomas, to call on him “to intervene with a full backing of the city council to send a powerful signal. Manchester wants these Crown Post Offices to stay open”.
‘Callous and cowardly’
Harpurhey councillor Pat Karney slammed post office management, claiming the decision was made without adequate consultation. “We learned about this closure through the Manchester Evening News”, he said, describing the move as “callous and cowardly”.
A franchise model involving a transfer in operations directly managed by the post office to franchisees such as retail stores or other private operators is “not acceptable”, added Councillor Anthony McCaul.
Cross-party support for the motion at the meeting was strong, with Lib Dem councillor Richard Kilpatrick emphasising that post offices are “not just a place to post parcels or buy stamps, but actually a lifeline”.
He highlighted the harmful effects of bank branch closures on both local communities and the local economy, underscoring the critical role post offices play in filling this gap in financial services.
Accountable
Together with Lib Dem councillor John Leech, he urged Labour councillors to hold their party in government accountable, noting that the issue lies with national policy.
Councillor Simcock praised the cross-party spirit of unity and urged members from all parties to sign a petition to save local post offices. The petition has since gathered nearly 2,000 signatures.
The decision to pass the motion of opposition to the closure proposals was met with applause.
Speaking to councillors after the meeting, Councillor Simcock told NQ he was “delighted that the council unanimously approved the post office motion”.
Councillor Karney expressed delight “that Manchester council is backing the local campaigns to save Harpurhey and Didsbury post offices” adding that there were plans to “meet with the Post Office management and the business minister to put the case against closures”.