Royal Mail Sheffield: Fears over future of parcel pick-up depot in Crosspool

Community leaders say they have heard the company is looking to close the front desk at the Sheffield South West office, in Crosspool, where tens of thousands of households go to pick up mail that postmen and women could not fit through their letterbox.

It would mean there would be no collection point. Now worried councillors have written to Royal Mail chief executive, Simon Thompson, to raise concerns, and a petition has been set up over the issue.

MP Olivia Blake

The letter to Mr Thompson, signed by Sheffield Hallam MP Olivia Blake as well as Crosspool and Crookes councillors Minesh Parekh and Ruth Milsom, states: “We have heard that there are plans to permanently close the enquiry office in Crosspool from February 2023. It is clear to us as elected representatives that this closure would be a disaster for local residents and the wider community.

“As you know, delivery office workers provide a vital frontline service. Being able to post from a local delivery office is essential for the continued success of our local businesses, as well as residents. It is incredibly concerning to hear of such proposals without any form of consultation or consideration of the impact of this on the communities served by the delivery office.”

Ecclesall Road closed

They added residents in South West Sheffield had already lost a sorting office in 2016, when the Ecclesall Road Delivery Office was closed, leaving residents and businesses having to travel much further to pick up their mail.

“Reducing the service in Crosspool would mean residents having to travel at least three miles further to collect their post — an unjustifiable prospect for residents and a backwards step for our postal service,” they added.