BURY'S Crown post office in Crompton Street closed its doors for good at the weekend.

And it brought to an end over 50 years of customer service at the popular building which had always been a magnet for shoppers.

The controversial shutdown of the premises, and the transfer out of services to franchise, was taken by Post Office Counters.

The 14-strong staff who worked at the Crown building have now been redeployed in other post offices in Manchester, Middleton and Oldham.

Saturday's last opening brought in many regular customers who decided to have a final look-round before the premises officially shut - permanently.

The final customer was Mrs Bev Atkinson of Stanwick Avenue in Prestwich.

The mother-of-two said: "I have used the post office here for many years. I work through the week, but always shop in Bury.

"The town has great shopping facilities and the post office was very convenient," she added.

Commenting on the closure, Mrs Atkinson went on: "It is sad it has had to shut down. I don't know why it has to close."

However, she says she will now use the nearby Forbuoys store which secured the franchise for the post office counter operations.

Post office services were up and running and it was business as usual at the shop in The Haymarket from Monday.

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