Outrage after important community service closes its doors for last time

12:02pm Saturday 26th April 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

THE last post has sounded for another vital community service in York.

Clifton Post Office closed yesterday despite a fierce campaign to save it from Royal Mail's swinging axe.

The branch has been at its current location inside the Spar shop at Clifton Green for about six-and-a-half years, but there is thought to have been an office in the immediate area for 71 years.

Counter assistant Janice Breen said the mood yesterday had been downbeat.

"People keep saying to us that they are sad we are going. I say it's not sad - it's a disgrace."

She said there were a number of old people's homes near the branch, and many residents would now struggle to access the nearest alternative branch, in Crichton Avenue.

Ms Breen said: "When I was at school we were taught that the elderly deserved respect - and they are not being given any in this situation."

Local resident and campaigner Les Marsh said: "I am disgusted. We made the case. Clifton post office is definitely at the centre of the community. And it will go from bad to worse.

"We have lost the bank facility (the nearby HSBC) at the same time so we are unable to handle money or get pensions.

"We have got older people's homes in the area and people are going to have to walk to Crichton Avenue or town."

Local councillor Ken King said: "It is a sad day and I certainly feel let down by Post Office Ltd.

"I thought that the local councillors and residents put a good argument forward that the post office should be retained and we are still hoping that, at the very least, they will not strip the fittings out of the post office until we have had an opportunity to look at it to see if it can be taken on by the council.

"That may or may not happen, but if they start stripping it out that will only make it more difficult."

Have your say

Do you feel let down by Post Office Ltd?