Mossley Post Office to close in shock move

EXCLUSIVE

MOSSLEY is set to be left without a Post Office after it was announced the town’s remaining outlet will close in a move that has stunned everyone.

The branch on Manchester Road in Bottom Mossley will shut its doors on Thursday, February 8 after the shock decision.

That will mean people living in the town will not have a facility after one in Top Mossley closed last March.

And it is another blow to Idu Miah, the well-known local sub-postmaster who has run it since 2002, after he was affected by the much-publicised Horizon scandal, which has seen more than 1,000 caught up in issues relating to faulty accounting software, which created false shortfalls in their accounts and even saw some jailed.

He said: “The Post Office are now saying that the business is no longer viable, which I don’t understand because it is well used by local people and businesses.

“This move by the Post Office comes after many years of worry and damage to my health, caused by the Horizon Computing System, which has affected my personal relationships with family and employees, who have also been caught up in the problem.

“I have lost thousands from my own pocket, which I paid to cover the accounting shortfalls.

“Whenever I reported the problem to the Post Office management, I was told that it was my problem.

“I was told that it was only me experiencing this. They said that if not myself causing the losses, that it must be an employee.

“I now know that it was not just me. I also knew that it was not my loyal employees. We often stayed very late in the office trying to reconcile the accounts, using the paper systems that we ran alongside.

“Nothing worked, the Horizon system always showed the losses. I am shocked to learn that employees could access my computers and change account details. This is scandalous!”

This decision means the nearest Post Offices will be in Carrbrook, Greenfield, Uppermill, Ashton or Stalybridge.

It also means there will be no banking facility or cashpoint unless another local business installs one.

There will be no local parcel return or pick up service – the sorting office has now moved to Hyde.

It is understood the Post Office has been looking at alternative premises and to sell the Manchester Road site.

As Mr Miah kept reporting his issues to the body, he had to step down for their investigation, meaning that for the past 16 months another employee has been working there as a counter clerk.

He has still been working there as it is his business and he also owns the building but the Post Office has not paid him any wages.

Nor have they paid rent, rates or utility charges for use of the premises.

Mr Miah added: “I put in a valid claim to the Post Office, more than three years ago, for repayment of the monies I had paid out, and for compensation.

“Thanks to support from my MP, Jonathan Reynolds, I have received some money back, which has helped.

“But I have still been paying out of my own pocket to keep their business open. I am still owed much more. When the post office closes, I will have to sell the building,”

The move to close the Post Office has shocked Mr Reynolds, who was himself caught unaware by the plans.

Now the politician is seeking urgent answers as he said: “Idu is an outstanding community servant. I am also proud to call him a friend.

“I am pleased to have been able to help him get some redress for what has happened but the toll on him has been considerable.

“I am also seeking urgent clarification from the Post Office as to this decision – I cannot believe a town the size of Mossley cannot support a dedicated Post Office counter.”

A Post Office spokesperson said: “The premises, where Mossley Post Office is currently based, is being withdrawn by the landlord for Post Office use on Thursday 8 February at 5pm.

“We are working hard to restore service to the area as soon as possible. We have an applicant for the vacancy currently and hope this will result in a successful outcome shortly.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused. In the interim alternative branches include Carbrook, Millbrook and Greenfield.”

And when pressed on the apparent lack of notice, the spokesman added:

“Mossley Post Office had been run on a temporary basis, which allowed us to maintain service, however, that arrangement could be cancelled with very short notice by the landlord, which is why we could not give longer notice on this occasion.”