COUNCIL STRIVES TO FIND SOLUTIONS FOLLOWING POST OFFICE CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENT

07/05/2008

FOLLOWING news that four of Camden’s post offices will close the council is stepping up its efforts to explore all the options available to help those affected.

Post Office Ltd today (Wednesday 7 May) announced it will definitely close the following sub-post offices as part of its move to shut 2,500 branches nationwide:

• Somers Town sub Post Office, Crowndale Road
• Englands Lane sub Post Office, Englands Lane
• Hampstead Heath sub Post Office, South End Green
• Highgate High Street sub Post Office, Highgate High Street

The council condemned the proposals when they were initially revealed earlier this year. It sent a letter of protest and a wealth of local evidence against closure, signed by all four political parties, to the managing director of Post Office Ltd.

In February, the council invited representatives from Post Office Ltd to face residents over the proposed closures.

However following today’s final nail in the coffin announcement, the council now reveals its behind the scenes work over the last few months to find alternative options.

One option could be to co-locate the affected post offices with other businesses or help to assist setting up community run post office branches.

Action already taken by the council includes talking to other local authorities, including Essex County Council, on approaches to closures in their area and whether these could work in Camden. The council has also written to the Office of the Third Sector to ask whether it will support community led solutions (1).

The council has begun talks with Post Office Ltd about piloting some joint working with branches not affected by the closure programme, to improve the viability of the remaining branches in the borough.

To ensure vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, receive minimal disruption the council is currently in discussions with the voluntary and community sector to discuss alternative options.

The four affected post offices are due to close in June.

The council wrote to the Post Office in April to request vital information about the financial situation of the branches but we have not received a reply as yet..

Leader of Camden Council Cllr Keith Moffitt said:

“The Council recognises the vital role that local services like post offices play at the heart of our local communities. This is why we’ve repeatedly and robustly opposed closures of post offices.

“The council has made repeated calls for the affected post offices to remain open however following this announcement we need to look at all available alternative options. We will also explore how more support can be given to vulnerable people who will be affected by closures.

“Over the coming months we will work with our partners, residents, voluntary groups and businesses to try and find suitable solutions.”

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