Post Office branches to be axed

Order books and giros are being phased out

Seven Post Office branches in northern Lincolnshire are to close despite protests raised during a public consultation exercise.

Post Office Ltd said it had heard concerns about the effect on elderly customers but the "harsh reality" was branches were "struggling to survive".

The branches to go are Filey Road, Freeman Street, Oxford Street, Welholme Road and Yarborough Road in Grimsby.

Frodingham Road in Scunthorpe and Pelham Road, Immingham will also close.

The move comes as part of a nationwide review by Post Office Ltd of its 9,000 branches in cities and towns.

The Freeman Street branch is to close on 6 December and the Filey Road and Welholme Road branches on 8 December. No closure dates have yet been set for the other branches.

I appreciate that it will be inconvenient for some customers to use an alternative post office Area head David Mellows-Facer

Post Office area head David Mellows-Facer said: "We received a number of representations, petitions and meetings were held with various elected representatives to discuss our plans for the area as a whole.

"The main concerns were about the effect of the closures on elderly customers and about the convenience of nearby alternative branches.

"While I appreciate that it will be inconvenient for some customers to use an alternative post office, I have taken into account the local terrain, parking and public transport.

"However, having carefully considered all the points raised, I still believe that the permanent closure of these seven offices is the correct course of action."

They had seen a declining number of customers, increasing running costs and the prospect of even less business now that the Department of Works and Pensions was transferring benefit payments direct to bank accounts.