COUNCILLORS fear the future of Silsden's only post office is under threat.

The postmaster of the Kirkgate facility, Andrew Cathey, said he intends to hand in his notice in about a month's time.

Mr Cathey, 62, who has been postmaster for 25 years, said he would have liked to have continued until he was 65, but added he was effectively being "forced out".

"They've cut my wage down and there is more going out than coming in – for the past six months, I've been really struggling," he said.

"I first came here to work for my father in 1977. The post office has been with my family since 1955."

He claims Post Office Limited is expecting him to work longer hours for less money.

But a PO spokesman responded it is committed to maintaining a postal service in Silsden, and is actually aiming to modernise and improve it.

Craven Ward councillor, Adrian Naylor, said he is concerned Mr Cathey's departure could result in the post office closing down. He has begun a petition calling for the branch to be saved. It is available to sign in Silsden shops.

Cllr Naylor said it made no sense for a town – expected to accommodate another 1,200 houses under Bradford’s Council's Local Plan – to lose such a precious public service.

"This post office has been run by the same family for more than 60 years and now, for commercial reasons, Post Office Ltd is potentially leaving Silsden without any banking facilities," he added.

"When the Natwest closed down, I was assured counter services would still be available for the public at the post office, and Natwest customers could pay in there.

"It's ironic the Government and Bradford Council want to see an increase in housing in Silsden, but aren’t prepared to protect or provide new infrastructure. A town this size needs a post office. Not everyone can travel easily to Ilkley or Keighley."

Silsden Town Council chairman, Cllr Chris Atkinson, said: "It's daft he Government and Bradford Council want to build 1,200 houses in Silsden but at the same time we are losing vital services. Someone needs to apply some common sense to the situation.”

But the Post Office Ltd spokesman said: "We are engaged in the largest investment programme in the history of the Post Office, modernising our branches to help improve their profitability.

"We've written to all postmasters, including the postmaster at Silsden, explaining the full range of options available – none of these involve the village losing its Post Office.

“Converting to a new main-style post office offers postmasters the potential to generate additional revenue in a modern environment and, in many cases, extended opening hours.

"These branches have a dedicated Post Office counter offering customers a full range of products and services, during standard hours."

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