Despite efforts to avert it, it seems the decision has been made, by the powers that be, to close Little Leigh Post Office.

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who turned up at short notice for the photo.

POSTWATCH'S ROLE - OUR ONLY HOPE?

The decision document states (Section6, Page 41):
"Where Postwatch can show, in respect of an individual branch, Post Office Ltd has not given due consideration to material evidence received during the public consultation in coming to its decision or where evidence emerges from the consultation that the proposal for that branch does not meet the
Government's policy requirements, there is an agreed review mechanism between Postwatch and Post Office Ltd. It is important to note that Postwatch does not have a power of veto on Post Office Ltd’s decisions."

Read the reasons given below and make your points based on the facts being ignored. Compare what they say against the reasoned approach from Parish Council letter, for example.

The reasons given by the Post Office for the closure are:
"The relatively small amount of feedback received on this proposal includes comments related to the vulnerable customer groups who will be inconvenienced by going to alternative branches, the lack of a direct bus service to alternative branches, and the impact of the closure on the community. The opening hours listed on the branch access report for Little Leigh was also queried.

We have considered all of the feedback received; including the discrepancy in opening hours listed for Little Leigh, and believe that, in the absence of local amenities, most residents would travel to Northwich which is approximately three miles away for general shopping and that alternative Post Office® branches offer reasonable access to Post Office® services. Having regard to all relevant factors, Post Office Ltd has taken the decision to proceed with the closure of this branch."

Postwatch: www.postwatch.co.uk

Email: info@postwatch.co.uk

Also email: consultation@postoffice.co.uk

Please copy parishcouncil@littleleigh.net into any emails you send.

Contact Postwatch on 08456 013265 Write to us at
FREEPOST POSTWATCH or e-mail info@postwatch.co.uk

For Complaints please write to
Freepost Postwatch  

The Post Office Site about closures.

The letter the Parish Council wrote to the decision makers in November 2008 is here.

Matthew's Email to the Northwich Guardian:
Personally, I'm extremely disappointed. It seems that some villages will be given an outreach service that mirrors the situation Little Leigh is in.  For example, Gt Budworth will have a service provided in the Village Hall - which is where LL's PO is currently located, but LL will be closed.

Although the Parish Council, Women's Institute and Friendly Club and others, all submitted concerns on behalf of the Village and challenged the inaccurate data used, it seems the small number of responses has been interpreted as there not being interest in the village to save the Post Office!  When you're a village of only 250 houses, the importance of the PO is magnified, not diminished, and the volume of responses can never reflect the true significance of the PO - yet this has been ignored.

Furthermore, the reasons given actually state that the Post Office "believe that, in the absence of local amenities, most residents would travel to Northwich which is approximately three miles away for general shopping and that alternative Post Office branches". 

So, despite being a village with few amenities, the Post Office really believe that it makes sense to close what little remains?!  Yes, people may travel, but not necessarily the very people who rely on the community service the Post Office can bring.  Unfortunately, as echoed by George Osborne MP in his letter to us, this decision is not suprising, given the contempt national government and associated organisations have for rural communities.

I can only thank everyone who helped in trying to save Little Leigh Post Office, and I'm sorry that all our efforts have so far come to nothing.

The full closure notice document can be downloaded here (Little Leigh is on page 28)

An earlier consultation document on the government's review of Post Office network, submitted by the Parish Council in March 2007 is here.