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Bid to provide post office services in public libraries
Branch closures ‘ripping the heart out of many high streets’
POST office counters could be moved into libraries and other council-owned buildings in a bid to stop the service disappearing.
The council is holding talks with Post Office bosses about the scheme following research showing the outlets are no longer sustainable.
A six-week consultation on the planned relocation of a Soho post office to WH Smith flagship West End store in the Oxford Street plaza is currently taking place and will end this month.
Now the council is planning to copy the scheme by putting the counters into their public buildings.
Councillor Tony Devenish, who chairs the Post Office task group ,which is looking into the initiative, said: “If post office counters can be set up within branches of WH Smith, there’s no reason why they couldn’t do the same inside council-run facilities.
“This is an incredible opportunity which we would sorely regret if we did not at least explore how we can make it happen.
“While we understand that post offices need to be able to sustain themselves financially, it would be a catastrophe for our most vulnerable residents if the vital service were to disappear from our local community altogether.”
Councillor Danny Chalkley, lead member for economic development, said: “At a time when there appears to be a consensus in encouraging small shops and local trade to benefit the environment and to help establish a sense of community, we are faced with the heart of many high streets being ripped out through the closure of post offices. It’s a win-win situation for all concerned.”
Hugh Davies, regional organiser for the Communication Workers’ Union, who is organising a demonstration outside Baker Street post office today (Friday), said: “What we want is a main office run by the Post Office. As long as they are public servants serving you then we are OK with that. The trouble is with WH Smith that they do not have to use Post Office staff.”
The proposed closure of the Harrow Road post office has sparked a 4,000-strong petition from residents.
Julie Bundy from the Harrow Road Neighbourhood Partnership said: “The post office is the heart of our community and provides an irreplaceable service.”
Harrow Road councillor Guthrie McKie said: “I think it is imperative that we protect local services for local people and I will urge Westminster council to protect the interests of our local community.”
Westminster has 24 post offices and since 2003 six have been closed.
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