Post Office launch search for new sub-postmaster (From York Press)

Post Office launch search for new sub-postmaster

5:24pm Thursday 19th June 2008 in News By Mark Casci

ONLY weeks after Tadcaster lost one of its main post offices, the search has begun to find a boss for a new branch near the town.

Post Office Ltd has announced today it is looking for a sub-postmaster to reopen a branch in Healaugh.

The branch in Main Street closed temporarily at the end of May, following the resignation of the sub-postmaster.

Bill Earnshaw, Field Change Adviser, said: "We would like to hear from potential partners who are interested in reopening a branch in Healaugh.

"We apologise for the inconvenience this temporary closure may cause, but I can assure our customers that we are committed to maintaining a service in the area.

"In the meantime, customers can use Tadcaster Post Office on Westgate or any other branch of their choice."

The announcement comes after the Hill Top branch in Tadcaster closed its doors for good in April, after serving the local community for more than 80 years.

The closure was one of about 50 across North and East Yorkshire and York, as part of a UK-wide shake-up of the network.

Late last year, The Press launched its Cut The Closures campaign, calling for a rethink.

More than 6,000 people signed our petition, which was subsequently presented to Post Office Ltd and to Downing Street, but almost all the closures have gone ahead as planned.

The city centre branch in Micklegate, York, was among the few which were saved after an unprecedented decision by Post Office chairman Allan Leighton.

The decision went to the top after Royal Mail and consumer watchdog Postwatch failed to strike an agreement over its future.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said the organisation had requested a review of the original proposal to close the branch because Post Office Ltd had failed to demonstrate alternative branches had sufficient capacity to cope with more customers. It had also failed to demonstrate that the needs of Micklegate Post Office users could be fully met had the closure gone ahead.