Sainsbury's postbox in Stoke sealed up

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Sainsbury's postbox in Stoke sealed up - sparks anger from shoppers

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Postbox- ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

SHOPPERS have hit out after collections have been cancelled from a supermarket postbox.

Customers of Sainsbury's, in Stoke, say they relied on the postbox as it was in a convenient and safe location.

Now they must use the nearest boxes in Church Street and further down busy London Road, near Chamberlain Avenue.

It comes two years after Royal Mail shut a postbox in London Road, near Bath Avenue, in 2012 for 'health and safety reasons'.

The facility within Sainsbury's was owned by a third-party, which is no longer paying for Royal Mail collections.

Blue badge holder Barry Seckerson said the box was regularly used by disabled people and the elderly.

The 75-year-old of Oakhill said: "I'm really annoyed about this because the postbox was in an ideal location.

"I am disabled, I have arthritis and a heart condition and I rely on the mobility scooters in the supermarket to get around.

"There's no postbox in Oakhill so I'm left with the option of driving in my car to Church Street, finding somewhere to park, and leaving my car on a dangerous road where buses regularly go past."

He added: "Before long there won't be any postboxes left in Stoke-on-Trent. There are still people that rely on the post to pay bills and send letters.

"I think whoever made this decision should have thought about the impact on the elderly and disabled."

Clifford Poulton, of Victoria Road, Fenton, was disappointed to find out the Sainsbury's postbox is out of action.

The 76-year-old said: "I'm outraged, I used the postbox regularly and I relied on it several times a week.

"I am disabled and not very mobile. There are postboxes in Fenton but I can't even use those because it requires me crossing a very dangerous road – it's not possible for me.

"The box was often full to the top so I can't imagine it's been removed because of lack of use."

A spokesman for Sainsbury's said: "Unfortunately the company who owned the postbox and managed this service has gone into administration."

Royal Mail today confirmed the box has been sealed and no further collections will be taking place.

Royal Mail spokesman Val Bodden said: "Royal Mail has ceased collections from the private posting box within the Sainsbury's supermarket in London Road, Stoke. This box was privately owned by a third party who was paying for a collection.

"This arrangement has now ended and collections have ceased.

"Private posting boxes do not form part of Royal Mail's network of 115,000 postboxes that we collect from daily and maintain."

[lollollol]

Is it right the business are withdrawing all the boxes from Sainsburys sites? Anyone heard owt?

[SHug5]

Yep, the company that operated the private Post Boxes went bust and Sainsburys were asked to pay for them but refused and all have to be sealed up and withdrawn from service throughout the country.

Pain in the butt to get in to clear them anyway

[5plusbonusball]

Very few post offices, less and less safe indoor postboxes, you have to put your precious mail into a rusty metal box on the street along with alsorts of whatever else people put in them , no wonder stamped mail is down was a good idea in 1850.

[lollollol]

Apparently a third of post boxes nationally are to be taken off afternoon collections in due course...

[k979aaa]

Passed it's sell by date?