Village in shock as post office shuts
A VILLAGE post office and newsagent's will close tomorrow, leaving staff jobless, neighbouring shopkeepers fearing for their businesses and elderly people with a long walk to collect their pensions.
Roberttown post office closed on April 15 and a notice went in the window advising customers it would reopen on May 7.
However this week regulars learned that the post office will not reopen and the newsagent's side of the premises will also close.
Even the owners of the business, Andrew and Sharon Sheard, only found out that the post office would close on Monday.
The post office was due to be sold to new owners, but the deal recently collapsed and at the same time a member of staff left. This meant there was only one part-time member of staff available to work on the post office counter, but Post Office Limited said the business had to operate full-time.
Mr Sheard thanked customers for their support and explained the reason for the closing.
He said: "On March 26 we found out that we were not going to be affected by the network change programme, we then pressed the buyer for a final decision but they pulled out.
"We notified Post Office Limited and they have been attempting to find an interim manager and arrange an audit.
"On April 25 the Post Office business development manager said that this had been sorted out and that the office would be re-opening on May 7.
"The interim manager would pay a nominal rent for the post office booth, telephone and electricity. We committed to a period of six months whilst we re-marketed the business.
"However, on Monday the business development manager said her superiors had decided to look for new premises in Roberttown.
"This business is not viable without the post office, so we have been forced to close."
Mr Sheard has lost his business and three members of staff have been made redundant.
Councillors and residents say the closure is a blow.
Coun David Hall (Con, Liv and Gom) said he and the other ward councillors had contacted the Post Office Limited's head office.
He added: "We will keep the pressure on until we know what is happening. They have said they are going to try and a temporary alternative. We will be doing whatever we can to try and get the full story about what is going to happen.
"Roberttown is a healthy little village and if you remove one part of it, it's not good for it."
Michael and June Worsnop have lived in the village since 1964. They said villagers were incensed by the closure.
Mrs Worsnop said: "We have the Grange and lots of older people live there. We're lucky because we can drive to Heckmondwike for our newspaper, but lots of people won't be able to get their pensions because they can't walk very far. It really is awful. We really think it's a blow for older people and the poor people who work there."
Resident Wendy Owen said: "It's a big, big shock. The post office closing was bad enough. My sister owns the greengrocer's and she's worried about her business. Since the post office part closed it's been quieter in the village."I think them both going is disastrous.
"We've had a post office here for around 100 years and always in the same place. It's always been a hub of the community, a place to see people and catch-up on the gossip."
Post Office Limited said the company hoped to relocate in the village.
A spokesman said: "We apologise for the inconvenience the temporary closure of this branch is causing. This followed the resignation of the sub-postmaster.
"We can assure our customers that we are doing all we can to restore service as soon as possible. Anyone interested in the vacancy, who must be able to provide suitable, alternative premises, should contact our agency recruitment section on 0845 6016260."
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Weather for Cleckheaton
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
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