Decision due on Micklegate Post Office (From York Press)

Decision due on Micklegate Post Office

8:12am Friday 2nd May 2008

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THE fate of a vital post office in the heart of York was set to be revealed today.

The Post Office said it "hoped and expected" to announce whether Micklegate Post Office will stay open or close down.

The decision on the future of the office is being made personally by Royal Mail chairman Allan Leighton after Post Office Ltd and Postwatch failed to reach an agreement.

It is the first time anywhere in the UK that a single branch closure has been taken to such a high level.

Thousands of local residents, businesses, politicians and Press readers have campaigned to save the post office.

PostWatch has said it did not believe Post Office Ltd had demonstrated that the proposed closure would minimise disruption and inconvenience to customers.

It has also said it had particular concerns over the ability of other branches in York to cope with the increase in business they would see if Micklegate closed, and that Micklegate enjoyed a high level of business and was convenient for customers as they can park outside.

York MP Hugh Bayley said today: "I have no idea what the Post Office has decided, but if the decision goes in favour of keeping the branch open, I will feel vindicated.

"I have pushed very hard for the branch to stay open. I have been involved in very sensitive negotiations about its future."

During a previous wave of closures, when offices in Albemarle Road and Bishopthorpe Road were closed, residents in those areas told to use Micklegate instead. Micklegate councillor Sandy Fraser, who helped collect more than a thousand signatures for a petition against the closure of the post office, said last night: "We are obviously hoping for a positive outcome. We feel we have presented a compelling case on behalf of residents and businesses in the area, and hope that the chairman does not simply rubber-stamp the proposal."

He said closure would leave the Micklegate ward without a single branch. The Micklegate Post Office is one of four branches in York which were originally proposed for closure. The other three, in Fulford, Haxby Road and Clifton Green, were all given the axe, in spite of a major Press campaign against closure, backed by more than 6,000 readers.

* For breaking news on the fate of Micklegate Post Office and much more see thepress.co.uk

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