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Sadness over post office closures

13/ 5/2008

SHUTTERS came down on post offices across Hyndburn this week as part of a national closure programme.

Four of the borough’s post offices got the chop despite furious opposition from residents and councillors during a three-month consultation period.

The first to go was Church Post Office, on Market Street, which closed on Tuesday.

Postmistress Zubeda Patel said a number of customers had been into the shop with flowers and cards.

Although the shop itself will remain open, the post office counter has now closed for good.

Zubeda said: "All my customers have thanked me by sending cards and flowers.

"It was very hard and very emotional."

Husband Iqbal Patel added: "It’s a very sad time. My wife said she felt like something was missing.

"It’s something that was out of our hands and there was nothing we could have done."

St Hubert’s Post Office on Queen Street, Great Harwood, and Belthorn Post Office on Holden Street both closed yesterday (Thursday).

The final local branch to close is Huncoat Post Office on Station Road which is due to shut today (Friday).