Askew Road Library set to reopen

Monday March 8, 2010

The new and improved Askew Road Library – complete with a post office enquiry counter – will officially open later this month!

H&F Council struck a deal earlier this year which has seen Royal Mail plough £87,000 into giving the library a massive facelift.

The refurbishments are almost complete and the library will reopen for business on Monday March 15. The post office enquiry counter will open for the first time on Monday March 22.

To celebrate the library and Royal Mail link-up, local residents are invited to an opening ceremony on Wednesday March 24, from 2pm.

The new enquiry counter has been warmly welcomed by residents as it means that thousands of residents will not have to travel out of the borough to pick up their missed post.

Annabel Clarke of the Cathnor Park Area Action Group, attended the meeting and said: “This is fantastically positive news. It is a wonderful boost for the library and will revitalise an important community space. The enquiry office situated at the Library will mean that residents will be able to collect parcels from an easily accessible and convenient place. It will also increase footfall on Askew Road so this really is magnificent news.”

In a double boost for residents, the deal has seen the library totally refurbished with new flooring and counters and a new children’s library at the back of the building.

Cllr Paul Bristow, cabinet member for resident’s services, said: “This deal really does give the library a new lease of life and will further the regeneration of the Askew Road area. I am delighted that we have been able to team up with the Royal Mail and I am sure that all visitors will be thrilled with the revamped library. This is a victory for common sense and it is great news that residents will not have to travel out of the borough to Park Royal to pick up their missed post. Askew Road Library has always been the perfect place to house an enquiry office – it is secure, has counters, and is open every day.

“Askew Road Library is already hugely popular with residents and this news will mean that it will continue to go from strength to strength over the coming years.”

Andrew Gill of Royal Mail said: "Royal Mail is delighted that we have been able to work with Hammersmith & Fulham Council to secure the future of a local callers office for the residents of Hammersmith, this means that anyone receiving a Royal Mail "Sorry...you were out"  card will be able to pick up their packages or letters locally in a new callers office based in Askew Road library.  This underlines Royal Mail's commitment to retain local access for our customers."

The council has long running history of saving postal services in the borough. In May 2008, it successfully prevented three Post Offices from shutting at Starch Green, Kenyon Street and 146 Shepherds Bush Road. In April this year, the W14 post office reopened following pressure from the council.