The Council is right to be calling into question the way the Post Office has handled its proposal to close 17 branches across Bradford. This needs looking into closely in view of the seriousness of the plan to deprive various local communities of a vital service - and particularly the proposed closure of the Bank Street branch in the centre of town.

The Post Office should take up the offer from the chairman of the Council's Regeneration and Improvement Committee to help it look again at its business plan in the light of the procedures which are in place to protect urban deprived areas - and, indeed, at the false premise on which the Bank Street closure plan is based.

The many voices which have been raised against it have rightly claimed that it is a well-used post office where there is almost always a queue, whatever the day or the time. They have pointed out the inconvenience which will be caused to the public - and loss of trade to the Post Office - if customers are instead expected to do business with the branches in Sunbridge Road and at the top end of Darley Street.

Most significent of all, though, they have drawn attention to a fact the Post Office seems to have ignored: that when the new Broadway scheme is completed the Bank Street branch will be close to a host of new shops and stores and their customers, a growing number of whom will be living in the city centre.

Any business worth its salt should be looking forward to the opportunities that will present and be preparing to make the most of them, not shutting up shop.