RESIDENTS are being urged to take part in a consultation about the future of Leigh’s post office.

The plan is to move it from its current site in Rectory Grove to the Broadway Supermarket in Broadway West where it will be run under the name Select Convenience.

The proposed move was confirmed in a letter from the Post Office which stated that the changes were being made to secure the long term viability of Post Office services in Leigh.

The majority of the Post Office’s 11,600 branches now operate with retail partners so that they can be kept in main shopping locations at the heart of communities.

An information leaflet on the Post Office website states that opening hours at the new Leigh Post Office site will be increased to include Sundays and the same wide range of products and services will be available with the exception of a cash machine, the DVLA Photocard Driving Licence renewal and Security Industry Authority license applications services.

Personal banking and Post Office Card Account customers can continue to make cash withdrawals free of charge at the main counter.

A period of public consultation is now underway so that members of the community can put forward their views of the proposal.

The consultation ends on Monday.

Carole Mulroney, Liberal Democrat councillor for Leigh, said it is very important that people take part in the consultation.

She added: “The Leigh Liberal Democrat team urges everyone to have their say - we certainly will be responding and we would like to make sure we get all your points across.

“This is a very small convenience store in Broadway West, and it will stay a convenience store, and will diminish the current service.

“I can foresee queuing out the door onto a much narrower pavement hampering pedestrians, buggies and the disabled being hemmed in between queuing customers and close packed cars, even narrower if the post boxes are to be sited there.

“Or do we still use the ones in Rectory Grove? The Post Office can’t say at the moment.”

Leigh residents previously held a rally in a bid to save their Post Office.

Campaigners have been hoping to save the Rectory Grove branch from being closed or downgraded.

There are a few ways that residents can take part in the consultation, firstly by visiting postofficeviews.co.uk and enter the branch code 00714099.

Residents can also make their views known by emailing comments@postoffice.co.uk, by post to FREEPOST Your Comments, or by calling 03457 22 33 44 and choosing option five or by texting 03457 223355.