27-04-2025
Post Office apologises after Bradford district branch closes suddenly
THE Post Office has apologised for any inconvenience caused by the sudden closure of one its branches in the Bradford district.
The Ferncliffe Post Office shut on February 14 leaving locals with a half-mile walk to their next nearest branch.
A letter was published last Tuesday on the Post Office Views website, where the Government-owned company shares news about branches and any proposed changes, informing people of the situation with the Ferncliffe branch.
Tajinder Khehra, Area Change Manager, apologised 'for the late notification on this occasion' and titled the letter with 'branch unplanned closure'.
The letter said: 'We are writing to inform you that, regrettably, due to unforeseen circumstances the above branch closed on Friday, 14 February 2025'.
A spokesperson for the Post Office confirmed yesterday the closure of the Ferncliffe Post Office and reiterated what the letter disclosed, stating it is investigating whether a service could be reinstated for the local community.
They said: 'Ferncliffe Post Office has been temporarily closed since February 14 due to unforeseen circumstances.
'We know how important a Post Office is to a community and we apologise for any inconvenience caused by the unplanned closure.
'We are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community.
'In exploring this, it is important that any future service is sustainable for the person operating the service, and for Post Office Limited.
'Alternative branches in the area include Bingley which is 0.5 miles away and Eldwick which is 1.5 miles away.'
The Telegraph & Argus visited the Ferncliffe Post Office today and there were only signs showing the branch's general opening hours and its opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period.
Signs in Ferncliffe Post Office showcasing general opening hours and opening hours over the Christmas and New Year period (Image: Telegraph & Argus) Councillor Joe Wheatley (Independent, Bingley) said: 'It's disappointing that the Post Office has closed, it's very much a space for banking, for post, it's a community hub.'
He added: 'Hopefully we can see it open in the near future.'
Chair of Bingley Town Council, Councillor Philippa Gibbons (Independent, Crossflatts & Micklethwaite), said: 'Our previous old Gilstead Post Office shut and was moved to Ferncliffe – although it was not the ideal location for folks it meant we had a Post Office service.
'It's a big loss to the community.
'Ideally we want one back, but located in Gilstead.'
Anna Dixon, Labour MP for Shipley, said: 'I am disappointed that the Ferncliffe Post Office has been temporarily closed, and I am, of course, frustrated for the local residents affected by this disruption.
"Since my election to Parliament last July, my team and I have worked constructively with the Ferncliffe Post Office.
"I will continue to work hard with the Government and the Post Office to improve postal services for residents across the Shipley constituency."
The Bingley branch is located in Main Street, while the Eldwick Post Office is in Otley Road.
