Council Condemns Potential Closure of Post Offices in South Cumbria

The recent news about the potential closure of post offices in South Cumbria has left me deeply concerned. As a councillor representing Kendal Castle, I fully support the motion passed by Westmorland and Furness Council to protect these vital community services. The possible closure of branches in Barrow and Kendal would have a devastating impact on our local communities, especially in the wake of ongoing bank closures on our high streets.

The Threat to Our Communities

In November, the Post Office announced plans to shut down 115 directly owned branches across the UK, including Furness House Post Office and Kendal Stricklandgate branch. The proposal could see these branches transferred to retail partners or postmasters — or worse, permanently closed.

Our post offices are more than just places to post letters or pick up parcels. They are essential hubs where people can access financial services, pay bills, and even receive government support. For many elderly and vulnerable residents, losing these services would be a major blow to their independence and quality of life.

Council Action and My Support

At a council meeting on January 23rd, Councillor Dyan Jones (Lib Dems, Windermere and Ambleside) tabled a motion calling on the Post Office to reconsider its plans and provide assurances about the future of these services. The motion also requested that the council’s chief executive write to the government’s Business Minister, Justin Madders, urging urgent intervention to protect these post offices from closure.

I fully supported this motion. The proposed closures come at a time when our communities are already facing serious challenges due to the steady loss of high street banks. In Barrow alone, 50% of banks have closed over the last decade, and Kendal is facing similar pressures. The closure of these post offices would only deepen the financial exclusion faced by many residents.

Economic and Social Impact

The closure of post offices would hit local businesses hard, increasing operational costs and forcing them to seek alternative solutions for essential services. For many small businesses, the local post office serves as a lifeline for sending and receiving stock, processing financial transactions, and providing customer services.

Councillor Anne Burns (Old Barrow and Hindpool, Labour) pointed out that Barrow has already lost five or six post offices in recent years, along with several banks. She rightly suggested that the post office could become a real community hub if it broadened its range of services rather than shutting its doors.

A Call for Action

Post Office chairman Nigel Railton has described the restructuring plan as a "new deal for postmasters," aiming to increase their share of revenue and give them greater control. But this so-called deal offers little comfort to the communities that rely on these services daily.

The closure of post offices in Kendal and Barrow would disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of our society. That’s why I, along with my fellow councillors, am calling on the Post Office and the government to reconsider these plans. We need solutions that strengthen our communities, not decisions that weaken them.

The future of our post offices should not be decided behind closed doors. We need transparency, proper consultation with local communities, and a firm commitment to protecting these essential services. Our post offices are too important to lose — and we will fight to keep them open.