"POST OFFICE CONSULATION A SHAM"

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 29th Nov 2004

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Leeds North West, Councillor Greg Mulholland has slammed the recent Post Office announcement that they will definitely be closing 6 sub post offices in Leeds North West, against very strong public opposition.

The campaign has been led by Councillor Mulholland and backed by the other 18 Leeds North West councillors who support his campaign.

Cllr Mulholland, who has been leading the campaign against the closures said, "This is a bitter blow for the communities that will be damaged by the closures" and he strongly criticises the Post Office, by saying "Considering the opposition to these closures, we simply don't feel the Post Office has listened, and it has confirmed our fear all along that the so called consultation was a sham."

"The Post Office's disregard for the opinions of their customers makes a mockery of the entire consultation process." Councillor Sue Bentley (Lib Dem Weetwood) has said, "We had a fantastic response to the petition, which shows the strength of local feeling on this issue."

Cllr Bentley and Cllr Mulholland have been campaigning alongside residents and community groups and support attempts by Tinshill Concern to appeal against the decision to close the Silk Mill Drive Post Office. Joe Thoms, chair of the group is now considering making a documentary to show how the closure will affect local people.