Post move a first class mistake

Waterhead councillors Vita Price, Riaz Ahmad and Peter Dean believe the relocation of the Waterhead Post Office is a mistake

THE relocation of Waterhead Post Office has been slammed as a “big mistake” by local councillors.

They claim the move from Huddersfield Road to Jays Food and Wine Stores in Stamford Road, Lees, will harm the community.

Councillor Peter Dean said he got 400 letters of opposition after sending out 650 letters. He contacted Oldham MPs Michael Meacher and Debbie Abrahams, who are also against the move.

The Post Office set up consultation last November when the current postmistress, Ann Saxton, announced her retirement. The date for the relocation has yet to be confirmed.

Councillor Dean said that while the move is only 400 yards, he believes the extra distance will be difficult for the elderly.

“The consultation process was poor,” he said. “It seems this was not a genuine consultation. They had found somebody to take over it in Lees. We found the whole process really disturbing.”

Shanaz Akhtar (46) expressed an interest in buying the post office after speaking to her brother Councillor Shadab Qumer.

She said: “I was disheartened they didn’t want to sell. I like working with the community, I thought it would be a good business venture.”

Waterhead councillors met senior Post Office staff on December 20. Councillor Riaz Ahmad said: “It wasn’t a meaningful consultation. They were more or less going through the motions.”

Councillor Vita Price said the residents she spoke to were “really upset”.

Councillor Dean added: “The Post Office has not listened at all to the local community and local councillors.

“When we said we have got people willing to take the post office on, they said they had come to an agreement with the people in Lees. This is a big mistake. We’re going to contact them again. This is inappropriate, it’s not the way forward.

A Post Office spokesman explained it was important to find a sustainable location that allow seervices to be continued. The Lees store will have a post service during opening hours, 7am-10pm, Monday to Saturday and 8am-10pm on Sunday.

Regional Manager Adrian Wales said: “We are making it easier for customers to get their cash, send and collect their mail and do their banking because we know how important these services are to local residents.