A former Labour MP has renewed warnings about the creation of "postal deserts" after a post office that was relocated into a WH Smith branch is set to close. Liz McInnes, who served as MP for Heywood and Middleton from 2014 to 2019, said the closure in Middleton, Greater Manchester, confirmed fears she raised in 2019.
At that time, the post office in Middleton was being moved into a WH Smith store. Ms McInnes said she and many of her then constituents questioned the sustainability of moving such a vital service into a failing business.
She said a Conservative minister accused her of talking down WH Smith and said they could not envisage any problems with the move.
Now, seven years later, the branch - which is now operated by TG Jones - is about to close, with the post office closing alongside it.
Ms McInnes said she shares the concerns of the Communication Workers Union about communities becoming postal deserts. She expressed hope that a way would be found for residents of Middleton to continue to have access to town centre post office facilities.
