A SCARBOROUGH post office has shut up for the final time after becoming a victim of Government cutbacks.

The owner of the Victoria Road Post Office described yesterday's closure as "a sad day" for both him and his customers.

The North Marine road post office is due to close tomorrow.

Postmaster at the Victoria Road shop, Fredrick Yeung, who has run the shop for five years, said: "People have been telling us to have a celebration as it is the last day but it is not a celebration at all - this is a very sad day.

"I understand that this was a decision made by the Government so we could not do anything about it. This was an important place for the local community particularly the elderly and disabled. They will have to walk a much longer way now. We had a lot of loyal customers and I will miss seeing them on a regular basis."

Customers of the shop, which has been running for more than 90 years, said they were "devastated" by the closure.

Lisa Townsend, 27, of Norwood Street, said: "I used the shop all the time and I think this is just awful. The closure will affect so many people and Fredrick was just a fantastic postmaster.

"He was brilliant with his customers and I am really going to miss the place."

Sheila Winn, of Rothbury Street, said: "I have been coming here for years and I am extremely upset that I can't come here again. It is a lovely post office. I will have to walk to Aberdeen Walk now and that post office is always really busy."

Sara Brown, 47, of Victoria Road, said: "I live just near the post office and I am devastated that it has closed. I have been coming here for 27 years and it has been so useful. So many people are losing out."

Scarborough MP  Robert Goodwill  said: "This is terrible for the local people who had the convenience of having a post office near them. They will now have to walk to the Aberdeen Walk office which is already very busy.

"The postmasters having to close their shops must be feeling very betrayed. They have put their time and money towards providing a valuable local service only to find that the Government has pulled the rug from under their feet. It is a very sad day."

 Scarbrough Evening New

26 March 2008