The opening of a newly refurbished flagship post office today gained a lukewarm welcome when it opened for trading.
New look - little Max Steward joins the queue in Rectory Grove post office Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL
The first customers through the door thought impressive interior design was a poor substitute for easily accessible branches.
The Post Office spent £50,000 on expensive floors and decorating the post office, in Rectory Grove, Leigh.
However, users said they would rather have the money spent on maintaining smaller sub-post office branches in outlying areas.
Bank officer Liz Steward, 37, of Tattersall Gardens, Leigh, said: "I thought the decor inside was fine, they've had the floors done and everything.
"It's easy for me to get here because I've got a car - but not everyone is in that position, and the choice should be there for everyone to have access to smaller branches."
Leigh has seen the closure of three post offices in the last year, but the group's chief operating officer David Miller believes new financial services on offer in post offices will appease public disquiet.
He said: "As well as the bureau de change we have been operating for three years, we have teamed up with the Bank of Ireland to offer a range of simple financial services, such as household insurance and a savings account."
Published Thursday November 20, 2003
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