Post office closure programme

On 27 November 2007 Post Office Ltd announced that the following four Post Offices in York were at risk of closure:

• Clifton
• Haxby Road
• Micklegate
• Fulford

In some areas Post Office branches are proposed to become ‘outreach branches’ – that is they will be in other shops for example and open only for limited hours.  However there are no such outreach branches proposed for the City of York.

We would like to give as much information as possible to help members of the public make their views known to Post Office Ltd on their proposed closure programme.

On the right of this page you will find further information under ‘Post Office closures-criteria’.

There is a list of useful contact details for groups that will help you to make your comments to Post Office Ltd. under ‘Giving your point of view’.

There are also maps which relate to the criteria used by the Post Office in making their decision.

Consultation Timescale

The constituency of the City of York is contained within the "North Yorkshire & Yorkshire East & Keighley Area Plan".

The public consultation period for this plan ran from 27 November 2007 until the 17 January 2008.

City of York Council Response

City of York Council responded to Post Office Ltd's proposals to alter their network of post offices in the city on 17 January 2008.  If you would like to read a copy of the council's letter, you will find one as a PDF file on the right hand side of this page.

Post Office Ltd's Decision

Post Office Ltd published their decision on the proposed changes to the network of post office branches in the North Yorkshire with Yorkshire East and Keighley area - which includes the City of York - on 7 February 2008.

They decided to proceed with the closure of the Clifton, Fulford and Haxby Road branches. Micklegate branch is in the process of a further review by Postwatch, the independent 'watchdog' for postal services.  The final decision will then be communicated to the public by Post Office Ltd.

Postwatch - End of Public Consultation Position Statement

Postwatch is the independent watchdog for postal services created by the Postal Services Act 2000.  They are working with Post Office Ltd and local communities throughout the programme to help secure the best possible outcome for customers.  Postwatch's role during the programme is to scrutinise Post Office Ltd's proposals and give feedback, ensure local consultations are meaningful and that Post Office Ltd's decisions are in line with government criteria.

In respect of Fulford branch, Postwatch note the support received against closure in the form of letters, petitions and correspondence from the local councillor and MP.  Similar support is mentioned in respect of the other three branches together with concerns expressed by Postwatch over the impact of closures upon the Lendal branch.  Other concerns are the impact of new developments around the city notified by the council, appropriate bus services and whether sufficient note has been taken of the impact of closures on local business.

Overall Postwatch "remains opposed to the plan for three closures in the city of York (Fulford is included in Selby constituency) and has serious objections to the closure of Micklegate Post Office". You may read the full report from Postwatch from the link on the right-hand side of this page.