Valley Centre post office to stay open - for the time being

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The last shop in the Valley Centre could stay open despite the outgoing boss stating it would close by the end of next month.

Current sub-postmaster Richard Shepherd tipped the Post Office to shut by October 31.

But Post Office Ltd hope the branch based within the eyesore Valley Centre will remain open until a suitable alternative location is found.

Richard Shepherd, who has been the sub-postmaster for 18 years, told the Free Press five jobs - incuding his own - will be shed as a result of changes at Rawtenstall Post Office.

Constablelee resident Richard, 53 said: "I’m sad for the customers and staff because quite a lot of them will miss us. Five of us will become effectively unemployed."

A Post Office Ltd spokesman said: "The current subpostmaster’s contract to run Rawtenstall Post Office comes to an end on 31 October. We have appointed a new subpostmaster and hope to keep the branch open in the premises at the Valley Centre for the immediate future while we work on alternative plans to maintain service in the town in the longer term, as we are aware that there are proposals to redevelop the Valley Centre."

The Valley Centre hasn’t seen development since Ashcap’s plans to create 116 apartments, shops, restaurants, a cafe quarter and a 369-space car park on the Bank Street site were passed more than two years ago.

The leader of Rossendale Council, Councillor Tony Swain, along with colleagues, will meet with Ashcap developers on Friday (September 24) for a crunch meeting on what happens next at the Valley Centre.

He said: "As a council the short-term aim is to see the site demolished as soon as practically possible. However that will obviously not happen while there is a business still located in the centre."