In 2019, Liz McInnes, then Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton, warned the Conservative government about the risks of moving post offices into WH Smith branches. Now, her fears are materializing as the Middleton post office, relocated into a former WH Smith store now operated by TG Jones, is set to close.
A Warning Ignored
McInnes recalls that when the Middleton post office was about to be moved into WH Smith, she questioned the sustainability of placing such a vital service into a failing business. A Tory minister accused her of talking down WH Smith and claimed they could not envision any problems.
Postal Deserts on the Horizon
Seven years later, the Middleton branch of TG Jones is closing, taking the post office with it. McInnes shares the concerns of the Communication Workers Union about communities becoming postal deserts. She hopes residents of Middleton will still find access to essential town centre post office facilities and services.
The closure underscores broader issues in the retail industry, with post offices increasingly tied to struggling businesses. McInnes's earlier warning now rings true, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions to maintain postal services in communities.
