Collect post at library

Tuesday January 12, 2010

A NOVEL IDEA: Annabel Clarke and Cllr Paul Bristow check out the Royal Mail plans with H&F Council library boss David Herbert (centre).

Missed a parcel? If you live in Shepherds Bush you can pick up your post at the Askew Road library after the council signed a landmark agreement with Royal Mail.

Instead of residents having to leave the borough to collect parcels, the council has agreed a deal with Royal Mail that will see a post office inquiry counter open in Askew Road Library later this year.

And in a double boost for residents, Royal Mail will plough £87,000 into giving the library a massive facelift.

The deal will see the library totally refurbished with new flooring and counters.

The Royal Mail inquiry counter will be situated in the room that currently houses the children's library, which will be moved to the rear of the building.

The refurbishment will involve closing the library from January 18 to January 20 and from February 22 to March 8. The library will reopen on March 9 and the inquiry counter will open for the first time on March 15.

Annabel Clarke, chairwoman of the Cathnor Park Area Action Group, attended a recent briefing meeting for local residents and said: "This is positive news.

"It is a wonderful boost for the library and will revitalise an important community space.

"The inquiry 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 in Askew Road."

Maureen Lee of Barnes and Sons Funeral Directors, the chairwoman of the Askew Road Business Watch group, was also impressed with the plans.

She said: "It will certainly bring people to the library and Askew Road in general, so it is definitely a positive move.

"Things seem to be picking up in the Askew area thanks to a number of improvements made by the council and this inquiry office will certainly be extremely beneficial to the area."

The news of the new Royal Mail office comes after council bosses campaigned to ensure that an inquiry depot remains in the north of the borough.

Royal Mail announced last year that it would be closing the Silver Road inquiry office in Shepherds Bush in September, meaning that thousands of residents would be forced to travel to Park Royal in Brent to collect their missed parcels.

H&F cabinet member Paul Bristow said: "Askew Road Library is a perfect location for the inquiry office and is far more accessible for most residents than Silver Road.

"I am thrilled that we have been able to negotiate such a fantastic deal. The £87,000 that we have secured will enable us to give the library a massive revamp.

"Askew Road Library is already popular with residents and this is a victory for common sense. Askew Road library is in a very convenient spot on a busy main road and is the perfect place to house an inquiry office."

Andrew Gill, project manager for Royal Mail, said: "The deal 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 office at the library.

"This underlines Royal Mail's commitment to retain local access for our customers."

The council has a long history of preserving postal services in the borough.

In May 2008, it successfully prevented three post offices from shutting - including one in Askew Road near Starch Green.