News Post Office closes
It was the end of an era for Westfield Avenue Post Office on Tuesday.
The post office, which has been at its current site since 1934, is one of several in the East Riding to close or be replaced by an outreach service.
Despite widespread concern and protests by councillors and residents, the post office was closed as part of a cost-cutting exercise.
Postmaster Colin Harrand, who came to the post office in 1994, said: "It's so empty. It's such a shame.
"There's been so many people upset. It'll be much more difficult to get to the other post office [at Hedley Court]. The bus stop's right outside here."
Mr Harrand and his daughter, manager Tracy Barnett, said the post office had always been busy, particularly with people selling things through eBay. The amount of mail was such that they had to have extra collections.
On Tuesday, the post office was due to close at 1.30pm. However, so many customers closed their post office accounts that it had to close earlier because money ran out.
"Over 50 per cent of people have transferred their accounts to the bank," Mr Harrand said.
Among the people saying goodbye were Harold Hargreaves (93), who was the postmaster there until 1985, when he retired.
Mr Hargreaves' father was at the opening of the original post office in 1926, on the corner of Westfield Avenue and Colonel's Walk.
"It's very sad - it's been my life," said Mr Hargreaves.
Mr Harrand confirmed that the Westfield Avenue building, which is now almost empty, had been sold.
Cllr Keith Moore, who used the post office regularly, said it would be missed.
"I've seen six or seven potential customers being turned away in the short space I've been here," he said.
In the time the Goole Times staff were there, several more were turned away.
Published on 31st January 2008 in News.
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