Recent years have seen the culling of many post offices across the country.

Post Office Ltd, like any other business, wants to make money and in these tough times needs to save on costs where it can.

But the importance of branches to communities cannot be over-emphasised.

The local post office is invariably the heart and lifeblood of a neighbourhood.

And although Keighley’s central outlet occupies a town centre location, that doesn’t make it any less invaluable to the people it serves. Granted, some of the services once provided exclusively across the counter can now be accessed online or at alternative places. But a huge core of customers still rely on being able to call at their post office, for example to collect their pensions or benefits.

And the presence of the Keighley premises alongside the bus station and shopping centre helps draw in people who will then also support other retailers.

The closure of the post office would be felt across the centre of Keighley and no matter what the powers that be say, a counter within a shop could not possibly provide the same level of service.

Keighley’s public is now being given the opportunity to make its voice heard over the proposals. Anyone who cares is encouraged to attend the public meeting organised for September 30.