Puzzle over post office 'for sale' report

Town councillors were told the building was for sale, either as a going concern or as property only, prompting fears that the town could lose its only post office facility.

Sub-post master, Mr John Webster, who owns the building, said the post office was up for sale "in some respects." He said he could allay fears, but would not comment further at this stage.

The riddle deepened when the the Post Office confirmed the building was for sale, but said Mr Webster had not resigned. If he did, a spokesman said, advertisements would be placed for a replacement.

Another town councillor told Tuesday's meeting that the present post-master was retiring. "Both this council and the public need to be aware the post office is for sale and one option is that it is sold as property only," said the councillor. The meeting agreed that the name of this councillor should be withheld.

Coun Liz Marsden cautioned against creating panic, but the chairman, Coun Gwen Porter, said: "We need a post office on the high street." She acknowledged difficulties in providing access for the disabled.

Coun Marjorie Simpson that, as there were three steps up to the post office, there had been pressure from certain groups for better access.

Coun Simpson said there had been rumours the post office was to be relocated to the Healaugh Park complex on the outskirts of Yarm. "The post office needs to be in the centre, though I can't think of anywhere with ground floor access which is going to be vacant.

"The post office must stay in the centre of Yarm," she said, adding that she would fight "tooth and nail." any plan to move it further out.

A Post Office spokesman in Leeds said: "While the property may be up for sale, the postmaster has not resigned. If he did we would have to begin advertising for someone to come forward to take the post office on."

l Late yesterday, Mr Webster pledged: "I will not do the dirty on the people of Yarm. The post office will stay central."

Full story next week.