CONCERNS Hyde is certain to be left without a Post Office have been eased by the town’s MP Jonathan Reynolds.
The town’s facility, on Market Place, is on a list of 115 branches under scrutiny by the body.
But Mr Reynolds, the current business secretary, insisted it does not mean it is doomed to closure.
Locally, people in Hyde and Conservative councillors are already organising a Save Hyde Post Office campaign.
Godley Councillor Andrea Colbourne said: “This is a worrying development for Hyde.
“We have seen many big businesses and banking facilities leave Hyde due to 45 years of Tameside Labour’s mismanagement of our town centres.
“Many people already say Hyde is like a ghost town. This will be the final straw that absolutely decimates our town.”
If Hyde Post Office does close, the nearest branches will be in Denton and Hattersley but Mr Reynolds insisted: “The purpose of this review is to look at how postmasters can be better paid from the functions the Post Office currently provides.
“At present, many post offices are busy but the level of remuneration that postmasters get for running them is too low.
“On some occasions in the constituency, we have seen postmasters retire and there has not been anyone willing to take on the business.
“When I appeared before the Post Office Inquiry, I talked about how this must change.
“Part of the review will look at the future of Crown Post Offices, which are currently directly run by the Post Office itself (as opposed to the majority of post offices which are franchises).
“The review will look at whether they could also become franchises operating the same services as they do now.
“Hyde Post Office is one of these and this is what people have enquired about. In my experience it is always fairly busy.
“I want to let people know there are no proposals to close any Post Offices at this stage as the review has just been announced.
“The intention stated by the Post Office is for crown post offices to remain open but become franchises like most other branches and crucially boosting the remuneration postmasters get is the best long-term way to keep post offices open.”
Post Office chairman Nigel Railton said the review’s outcome will offer a ‘new deal for postmasters’ by increasing their share of revenue and giving them a greater say in the running of the business as it looks to move on from the Horizon IT scandal that saw hundreds of sub-postmasters wrongfully convicted.
The plans, which are subject to government funding, would see average branch pay doubled by 2030, with £120 million in additional pay by the end of the first year.
In an announcement to postmasters and staff, Mr Railton said: “The Post Office has a 360-year history of public service, and we want to secure that service for the future by learning from past mistakes and moving forward for the benefit of all postmasters.
“We can, and will, restore pride in working for a business with a legacy of service, rather than one of scandal.”
He added the overhaul also, ‘begins a new phase of partnership during which we will strengthen the postmaster voice in the day-to-day running and operations of the business, so they are represented from the frontline to the boardroom.’
Despite Mr Reynolds’ assurances over Hyde, the Communication Workers Union called on the Post Office to halt the plans and for the government to intervene.
General secretary Dave Ward said: “For the company to announce the closure of hundreds of Post Offices hot on the heels of the Horizon scandal is as tone deaf as it is immoral.
“CWU members are victims of the Horizon scandal – and for them to now fear for their jobs ahead of Christmas is yet another cruel attack.”