‘Cash box’ method of payment to end

2:42pm Friday 9th May 2008

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A FACILITY that allows people to pay bills at Prestwich Library will close from Monday, Bury Council has confirmed.

The cash box' facility allows library users to pay gas, electricity and other household bills while getting out and returning books.

However, the Guide was anonymously tipped off this week about the impending closure of the service based in the library at the Longfield Suite.

The withdrawal of the facility closure was confirmed yesterday by Bury Council's acting accounts manager Tony Byrne, although no reason was given.

It leaves the majority of people who use the cash box in the dark and with little time to find an alternative, though Prestwich Post Office in Kingswood Road is the nearest place to go.

St Mary's ward councillor Mary D'Albert, who was elected last week, said: "The fact that it seems no official announcement has been made is puzzling.

"If you're going to close a facility, it is only fair to inform the people who use it so they can make alternative arrangements. I cannot see how cutting the service would save money."

She added: "My father is 82 years old and he has a weekly routine in which he will go and pay one bill, a second bill and a third bill at the same time and place without fail. A lot of older people are happy with such routines so things like this aren't helpful."