Post Office closure another 'nail in the coffin' for Gosforth High Street

A decision to move the Crown Post Office away from Gosforth High Street has been branded "appalling" and "incomprehensible" by local councillors.
Post Office Ltd is moving the St Nicholas Avenue branch - within the popular Gosforth shopping centre - to the Loco store on Salters Road.
East Gosforth Councillor Henry Gallagher said: "This is an utterly appalling decision - and another nail in the coffin for the High Street.
"The current Post Office is in the heart of Gosforth. It drives footfall to the area's shops and I fear for what the loss of trade could mean. There will be real anger in Gosforth because of this decision."
Councillor Jackie Slesenger, from West Gosforth ward, said: "All of the local buses go down the High Street.
"There is parking above the shopping centre, and cycle bays alongside it. It is incomprehensible to think they are moving it away from where the transport links and the other shops are."
Councillor Slesenger added: "I am extremely concerned for those people with disabilities or movement issues. There is a danger this move could isolate them further. Or of course they will simply go elsewhere."
The councillors led the Save St Nicholas Post Office campaign on social media, and also collected a petition.
Other individuals also collected petitions but this strength of feeling has been ignored by national Post Office Ltd managers.
"I am bitterly disappointed," said Councillor Gallagher.
"This news comes on top of the decision by the Labour-run council last week to half the available parking and turn the High Street into a Red Route. My Lib Dem colleagues and I are going to arrange a Town Meeting for everyone in Gosforth to come together to discuss future plans to help our community."

Parklands Ward Liberal Democrat Councillor Robin Ashby said : "The Post Office in the centre of Gosforth is easily accessible by people from North Gosforth travelling by bus or car. The Salters Road location is far less easy to get to, especially for older people using public transport, and there is very little parking available. This is an incomprehensible decision in both commercial and social terms."