Amber Valley Borough Council has condemned today’s decision to close nine post offices within the Borough, which it says will remove key services from local people.
The Council had expressed major concerns over the impact the closures would have on local residents, particularly the elderly and less mobile, who will lose a vital local facility and may have difficulty getting to an alternative branch.
Councillor Alan Cox, Leader of Amber Valley Borough Council, said: "These closures are simply not acceptable, coming so soon after the previous round of closures that affected people in the Borough. In particular, the more vulnerable members of our communities, such as the elderly, disabled and those without their own transport, will be severely disadvantaged by the closures announced today.
“These post offices are at the heart and soul of the local community. Not only do they provide banking and financial services to many people who simply cannot visit a main post office in a town centre, they also offer a vital social service to the community, in particular those who use their local post office as a place to meet others and find out information about what’s happening in their locality. With an increasing number of people of pensionable age dependent upon benefits, the demand for these services will become even more important at a local level.
“We are particularly concerned that the loss of these post offices will also affect the viability of local shops that either house them or provide associated services.
This was the case when the Post Office shut four sub post offices in Belper, and some associated shops were also forced to close. Should this happen again, the potential impact on local communities is huge.”
The nine post offices in Amber Valley confirmed for closure are:
- Kilburn Lane, Openwoodgate, Belper
- Nottingham Road, Alfreton
- Inns Lane, South Wingfield
Ends.
For more information please contact Lisa Garnham, PR and Communications Manager at Amber Valley Borough Council, on 01773 841655 or email lisa.garnham@ambervalley.gov.uk
