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Closing post offices 'bonkers'
FOUR post offices serving some of the most deprived parts of Westminster are to close.
The outlets in Formosa Street, Harrow Road and Lisson Grove, face closure after the Post Office announced it is to cull a fifth of its high street branches.
Plans, out for a six-week consultation, recommend increasing the distance between London post offices.
Murad Qureshi, who lives in Paddington, said: “Instead of Formosa Street you are suggesting going to St John’s Wood or Bayswater.
“That is clearly bonkers. Previously, deprived communities in London had to be within a half mile of a post office – now this has been increased to one mile.”
The leader of Westminster council Labour group Paul Dimoldenberg said: “There can be no justification for closing post offices which serve the residents of Westbourne, Little Venice and Church Street wards, all of which contain elderly and vulnerable who need a post office in order to deal with bills and with their general financial affairs.”
Soho’s main office in Poland Street is also under threat, with plans to open a counter inside the Oxford Street Plaza.
The council is looking into plans to open post office counters in council buildings, libraries and sports centres across Westminster.
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone is investigating possible legal action against the Post Office and Labour councillors, representing wards in north Westminster, have called on Westminster City Council to follow his lead. |
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