COUNCILLORS are concerned about the quality of services which could be provided if a popular Post Office is moved inside a newsagents.

Farnworth Post Office is currently based in its own unit on Brackley Street, but it has been proposed that services could be transferred down the street into Zam Zam News.

At the moment, the office is being run by a temporary postmaster and a consultation has been opened on its future.

Cllr Paul Heslop, from the Farnworth and Kearsley First political party said the services offered by the Post Office were "invaluable" to people living in the township.

"I hope that any move wouldn't result in a dilution of the services we are currently getting," he said.

"It's a well used Post Office. I went in recently for an international driving licence but it's used for all sorts of things.

"The staff are wonderful there as well.

"The important thing for me with the closure of all the high street banks is that we have a good Post Office that has these services."

Last week, Lesley McNally, change area manager, for Post Office services in Bolton, sent out a letter to residents in the area information them of a consultation on the proposed change of location.

She explained that the plans would see services moved into a "modern, open-plan environment", which would be inside the newsagents.

In the letter, Ms McNally wrote: "As you may be aware, this branch has been operated on our behalf by a temporary postmaster.

We have therefore had to identify an alternative location to continue to offer Post Office services to the local community. A new agent has been identified to operate the above Post Office.

"Our priority is to safeguard Post Office services to the local community in the longer.

"The relocation of Farnworth Post Office will enable us to maintain a Post Office service to our customers in the local community."

The change comes against a backdrop of national Post Office closures, with plans revealed earlier this year for the government to end its subsidy of these services.

The National Federation of SubPostmasters, which looks out for Post Offices workers across the country, has warned that this decision could lead to up to 2,500 locations shutting in the UK.

Residents who would like to comment on plans to move the Farnworth Post Office are being asked to consider a number of questions including:

  • How easy is it to get to the new location?
  • Are the new premises easy for you to get into and is the inside easily accessible?
  • Are there any other local community issues affected by the move?
  • If the move were to proceed is there anything we could do to make it easier for
  • customers?

More information on the consultation can be found by searching for the unique branch code of 189406 on postofficeviews.co.uk.

Alternatively, call the Post Office on 03457 223344.