Outrage at 'lost' heritage post boxes

Alterations to historic village post boxes across Saddleworth villages are causing widespread anger in the community.

The familiar red boxes, sharing pride of another age, are to be refitted with modern day additions.

But locals say there was no prior discussions and Royal Mail just turned up unannounced and said it would take three weeks to convert the boxes.

Tim Newbold, manager of the Dobcross Village Store and Post Office, said: "I was very surprised when they just arrived from Royal Mail on Monday.

“They came into the shop holding the Post Office topper and told me they were sealing the post box as it was being upgraded to a digital post box, which would take three weeks.

“We had not been made aware of this at any time.

"I find it hard to believe Royal Mail would actively take sales away from the the post office counter and in turn the village community shop, but that is in fact what they are doing.

“Our customers are outraged at this as many of them are shareholders in our community run village store.

“We will be advising our customers to continue to post their parcels in the shop as they do now as the small acceptance fee received for this facility is much-needed to help maintain income and indeed to secure the future of our village post office and village store.”

An earlier post on the Dobcross Village Store and Post Office Facebook page said: “We’re kindly asking all our customers to continue bringing parcels and letters into the post office counter as you do now.

"This way, your support directly helps keep our shop and services running.

“We’ve raised our concerns with the Post Office, but as the box is Royal Mail’s property, they are unable to intervene.

"This is yet another example of a vital local service being quietly taken away from communities like ours.

“Sadly, this change also means we won’t be able to decorate the post box as we have in the past.

"Our last post box topper was lovingly knitted by a wonderful volunteer who has since passed away.

"It’s a small but heartfelt loss.

"In the meantime:

Letters can still be posted inside the post office.

Parcels - please continue to bring them in to us so we can serve you in person and retain the much-needed commission.

“Thank you for standing by us.

"Your everyday choices help keep this community strong.”

Royal Mail have been approached for a comment as other local Post Offices have also been affected.

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