Loss of 61 jobs 'could damage trade'

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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The closure of Shipley delivery office next month will take 61 jobs from the town, but bring in a dedicated postman for businesses.

On March 11 the Otley Road office will shut and services move to Bradford North Delivery Office in Inkersley Road, near Forster Square Retail Park.

The closure is the last of three, with Bingley and Bradford West delivery offices having already shut.

Royal Mail said 61 staff at the Shipley office will move to the city, leading Shipley town centre manager Yvonne Crossley to warn that it could affect trade.

“People that Royal Mail employ come into town and shop on their lunch breaks,” she said. “It’s taking people out of the town.”

Town centre jeweller Barry Cooper said Shipley was getting a dedicated postman as part of the changes.

“I’m really pleased that the town is now getting its own route. Mail delivery will be better for it,” he said.

But there are concerns about the service for the public. Shipley MP Philip Davies said constituents have been contacting him since the closure of Bingley’s sorting office last November.


The Conservative MP said he had spoken to Royal Mail and it had agreed to let Bingley customers collect undelivered parcels from Eldwick Post Office.

Mr Davies said: “I can tell you from the e-mails I’ve been getting, it’s not very popular. People in Cottingley are having to go to Eldwick. They want to be able to collect parcels in Bingley.”

Mr Davies said the closure of Shipley’s sorting office may cause similar issues.

“I had meetings with Royal Mail and I said although Bradford’s only three miles away on a map from Shipley, in all other respects it’s a million miles away.”

Last March Bradford and District Older People's Alliance raised a petition against the closure of the offices saying it had caused “outrage” among members.

Steve McGuinness, Royal Mail delivery director for North and West Yorkshire, said: “Moving the mail operation from our Bingley, Shipley and Bradford West Delivery Offices will provide improved working conditions, secure employment and provide a more cost- effective operation.”

[Lounge Lizard]

“People that Royal Mail employ come into town and shop on their lunch breaks,” she said.
"lunch breaks" - not so grim up north then.

[DGP1]

“People that Royal Mail employ come into town and shop on their lunch breaks,” she said.
"lunch breaks" - not so grim up north then.

Exactly my thoughts