MP Raises Concern Over Post Office’s ‘At Risk’ Status Amid Bank Closures

A Member of Parliament has expressed “deep alarm” regarding a Post Office branch being identified on an “at risk” list within a town experiencing multiple bank closures. Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron conveyed his dismay that the Kendal, Cumbria, location might be closed as part of a business “shake-up.” Farron stated that Halifax and Lloyds banks had “deserted” the town, citing the presence of a Post Office capable of “taking up the slack.” Business and Trade Minister Gareth Thomas affirmed that “no decisions” have been made concerning Kendal or any other specific directly managed branch. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that Farron, the representative for Westmorland and Lonsdale, voiced his concerns in Parliament subsequent to the announcement of a strategic review into the Post Office’s operational methods. This review indicated the potential closure of 115 directly owned branches, among them Furness House in Barrow. Farron noted that this particular branch had faced a closure threat three years prior. He stated, “We won our campaign to save it, in part because Post Office Ltd could see there was not space at WH Smiths in Kendal to take the Post Office, that has not changed.” The previous campaign also contended that Royal Mail might lose its sorting office if the branch were to close. Farron added, “What has changed is that two more high street banks, Halifax and Lloyds, have deserted Kendal town centre on the basis they claim that we’ve got the Post Office down the road, and they will be able to take up the slack.” Halifax and Lloyds are scheduled to cease operations in February. Several other bank branches, such as Barclays and HSBC, continue to operate in the town. In reply, Thomas commented, “There are significant additional costs associated with the directly managed branches and it’s right the Post Office looks at those questions as well.”