York Post Office in Morrisons to close on Saturday, August 1

A total of 368 residents have signed a petition calling to save the Post Office counter service and Morrisons Daily, in Moorcroft Road, Woodthorpe, according to organisers the Liberal Democrats.

Liberal Democrat ward councillor Stephen Fenton said he had met with Post Office representatives and there were hopeful signs that services could be maintained.

A Post Office spokesperson said they had received interest from operators but the counter was still scheduled to close next week along with the Morrisons Daily store.

A Morrisons spokesperson said the store was among those set to close in the coming months after underperforming since they were acquired from McColl’s in 2022.

It comes as the counter is currently due to shut on Saturday, August 1.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Liberal Democrats said many residents in the area were concerned the closure could leave them cut off from vital services.

Dringhouses and Woodthorpe’s Cllr Fenton said he was grateful to those who supported the party’s petition.

He added he still hoped the Post Office counter could be saved.

The Liberal Democrat said: “I met with Post Office representatives last month and have contacted local retailers.

“There are hopeful signs that an announcement may be imminent that a new retailer has agreed to maintain Post Office services.

“That’s welcome news and I stand ready to work with the new operator.”

A Post Office spokesperson said they were looking at those who had expressed interest in a replacement branch (file photo) (Image: North Somerset Times)

A Post Office spokesperson said they had advertised the vacancy to run a replacement branch and they were currently looking closely at those who had expressed interest.

The spokesperson said: “Our retail partner has reviewed their Morrisons Daily store operations and has decided to close their store at Woodthorpe.

“Consequently, the store and Post Office is to close on Saturday August, 1.

“We fully recognise the inconvenience this will cause our customers and small businesses who rely on our banking and parcel services in particular, so we want to open a replacement branch as soon as possible.”

Morrisons’ spokesperson said they had taken the tough but necessary decision to close a number of stores over the next few months.

The spokesperson said: “The combination of the proposed closure of loss-making stores and the continued addition of attractive new franchise openings will enable us to concentrate on those stores which work best for customers, improving the quality of our convenience estate and making it stronger overall.”

Alternative Post Office services are available locally in Dringhouses, about a mile away from the Moorcroft Road site.

Post Offices also operate around two miles away in York Road, Acomb and Sim Balk Lane, Bishopthorpe.

There is also a Post Office Banking Hub in York Road.