FIGHT CONTINUES FOR CARTMEL POST OFFICE
The campaign for a full replacement post office in Cartmel took a knock this week when local MP Tim Farron received a letter from the business minister Lord Young confirming that only a limited outreach service would be established in the village.
Mr Farron has been campaigning alongside local residents for a full postal service in Cartmel village since Post Office Limited announced the decision to provide a downgraded outreach centre following the resignation of the postmistress in February this year. This decision has been made only a year after the Government's Network Change Programme concluded that Cartmel met the criteria to retain a full post office. A full branch post office at Cartmel was deemed necessary on the basis that it was in the interest of both the community and Post Office Ltd. Local people are outraged at this opportunistic downgrading of their post office only months later.
At least two local businesses have shown an interest in providing the necessary investment for a full replacement Post Office in Cartmel but have been told that a full time branch is not justified.
Commenting Mr Farron said:
"I am really disappointed about the letter from the minister; it shows complete ignorance of the realities of life in Cartmel and is a betrayal of the promise made to local people less than a year ago.
"The controversial closure programme last year left Cartmel intact after a full consultation process, so the news that Post Office Ltd are looking to downgrade the Cartmel office to an outreach centre now is simply unacceptable and makes a mockery of last year's consultation.
"The consultation made it perfectly clear that Cartmel, as a thriving, busy tourist centre deserved to have a full Post Office. I'm quite frankly appalled by the opportunism of Post Office Ltd who have gone back on their previous decision to keep Cartmel Post Office simply to try and save a quick buck.
"We have on the table, viable offers from local businesses which would allow Cartmel to retain a full Post Office, and yet they are being told that a full service is not justified, this seems strange when it comes only a year after a consultation found otherwise.
"The battle for Cartmel Post office isn't over, I am taking the matter up with Lord Young's boss - Peter Mandelson - we need to keep pressing the Government to provide much need services in our rural areas; I will not be happy until we see a full, thriving post office back in the village."