New Year hope in bid to save post offices
CAMPAIGNERS go into the New Year with a glimmer of hope that nine local post offices can be reprieved from the threat of closure.
Business cases are being developed with a view to convincing Post Office Ltd that there can be a future for some of the premises.
The initiative is being led by an all-party council working group, examining, for example, whether the branches could be made viable by providing more services.
Council leader Paul Scriven admitted: "It's not easy to suddenly find the solution to keeping post offices open or maintain the services they provide. We've got to be realistic.
"Sheffield has been let down by Post Office Ltd and we are now stepping into the breach to see if we can prove if any of them should not shut up shop.
"We know how important they are to local people and can be the lifeblood of some communities but we do not underestimate the challenge and the amount of work that has to be done to see if any of the post offices has a fighting chance of survival in these tough economic times."
Already 15 post offices have been closed in Sheffield as part of a national programme. Only one, Wadsley Bridge, survived, despite a huge community campaign.
The nine currently under the microscope are at Crookes Valley Road, Hatfield House Lane, High Wincobank, Oakbrook Road, Park Grange, Parkhead, Shalesmoor, Southey and The Moor.
Councillors will be updated early this year before going back to Post Office Ltd with any recommendations.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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