Macclesfield businessman’s concerns

Concerned by the imminent closure of Macclesfield Post Office along with a number of local banks, Richard Slater took to social media to express them.

Richard is the owner and managing director of Henbury Travel and the North West Chair of ABTA.

His social media post contained this letter to our local MP, Tim Roca

“Dear Tim,

“I am writing to you both as a local business owner and as a concerned community advocate, to raise serious concerns regarding the state of essential services in Macclesfield—specifically the Post Office and the widespread closure of local bank branches.

“As someone who regularly uses the Post Office branch currently located within WHSmith, I must highlight the unsatisfactory experience being provided to residents and businesses alike. While the staff working there are consistently professional, knowledgeable, and courteous, they are clearly overwhelmed and understaffed. On several occasions, I have personally witnessed queues of 25–30 people being managed by a single staff member—or, at times, the branch has been closed altogether. This situation is not only unacceptable for the public but could have serious implications for the wellbeing of the staff expected to operate under such strain.

“This is in stark contrast to when the Post Office was housed in its former Crown premises across the road, where six or more team members were regularly on hand to provide support. It is difficult to understand how such a significant reduction in service is being justified, especially considering WHSmith is receiving public funds to deliver this vital community function.

“These issues are compounded by the deeply damaging and seemingly unchecked closure of high street bank branches in our town—despite the fact that institutions such as RBS, Lloyds, and HBOS were supported through public bailouts during the financial crisis. Today, these same banks are reporting record profits and distributing bonuses and dividends, while withdrawing services from the very communities that stood behind them.

“Barclays’ closure in Macclesfield is a case in point. The justification given—that the branch had only 11 regular users—did not match the reality seen by many of us. Each time I visited, the branch had queues of customers. If that figure is accurate, then it implies that every customer managed to visit at exactly the same time on every occasion. Unlikely, to say the least. We now hear that NatWest is closing its doors too.

“This pattern of service withdrawal not only alienates vulnerable residents—particularly the elderly and digitally excluded—but also puts pressure on the remaining infrastructure, like the Post Office, which is clearly ill-equipped to absorb the increased demand.

“It appears the Government has, so far, failed to enforce minimum service standards for financial and postal services, and the slow roll-out of community banking hubs only deepens this concern. Macclesfield has several suitable vacant premises, including former bank buildings, that could be repurposed quickly and effectively.

“I urge you to take up this issue please on behalf of both residents and businesses. We need your voice to hold WHSmith and the Post Office to account for the service levels they are contracted to deliver. We also need clarity on when Macclesfield—an important regional town—will benefit from the long-promised banking hub.

“Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing your response and seeing action that will support both the economic and social wellbeing of our community.”

Richard Slater. Managing Director, Henbury Travel Ltd
North West Chair ABTA