COWLERSLEY post office will shut on December 9.

The closure next month is part of a sweeping project by the Post Office which they claim will safeguard the future of urban Post Office branches in Huddersfield.

And the move comes despite local protests, including appeals to keep the office open by Colne Valley MP Kali Mountford.

Post Office Ltd announced last autumn that it intended to undertake a programme to restructure and modernise its national network of more than 9,000 urban Post Offices branches.

They claim in many cities and towns there are simply too many outlets competing for too little business.

Last year, sub-postmasters across the country were asked to indicate their wishes for the future, and Post Office Ltd agreed with the sub-postmaster of the Cowlersley Post Office branch that this branch should close permanently in December.

Today, following a public consultation exercise during which customers, MPs and local organisations were asked for their views, Post Office Ltd has confirmed that the branch will close on December 9.

The closure programme has so far seen post offices shut in Taylor Hill, Crosland Moor, Lowerhouses, Longwood and Netheroyd Hill.

David Mellows-Facer, Post Office area head said: "Proposals to close Post Office branches are not made without considerable research and discussion.

"We have received a number of comments from customers and local representatives during the consultation period.

"Concerns centred mainly on the effect of the closure on the more elderly customers within the local community and the convenience of nearby alternative branches.

"Following this exercise, we believe that the closure of this branch is the correct course of action.

"Customers in Huddersfield will continue to have reasonable access to local Post Office products and services and we remain confident that the closure of the Cowersley Post Office branch will improve the long-term prospects of the other branches in the area.

"In particular, we have made sure that the Milnsbridge Post Office branch on Market Street and the Linthwaite Post Office branch on Manchester Road are ready to cope with the extra customers."

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