Doubts over new Post Office
Tuesday August 24, 2010
Plans to open a Post Office counter close to the Edward Woods Estate have been thrown into doubt.
H&F News can exclusively reveal that no agreement has been reached between the Post Office and the newsagent that is due to house the facility.
The area has been without a Post Office since the branch inside the Costcutter shop in St Ann’s Road closed last September.
Local press had reported that a Post Office counter was about to open inside newsagents Swanscombe News, Swanscombe Road, this November. But H&F News has learnt that no contract has been signed and the deal may never happen.
Swanscombe News owner Dipesh Patel, exclusively told H&F News said: “We would really like to help the local community and open the Post Office counter here but the deal really has to suit us as well as the Post Office. At the moment the terms do not work for us and it is up to them to come back with a different offer.
"The Post Office want it to be an open counter but we believe that will have some very serious security implications for us. They also want the counter to be open from 6.30am to 6pm seven days a week but that does not suit us either. We really want to help but the ball is in their court.”
If an agreement can be reached, the new facility would provide automated banking services, bill and budget payment schemes and facilities for Post Office card accounts, postal orders as well as postage for inland letters and packets and inland parcels.
Customers would also benefit from extensive opening hours including Saturday afternoon and Sunday openings and longer opening times throughout the week. There are pay and display parking facilities available within 25 yards of the premises.
A Post Office spokesperson said: “It is our intention to continue to provide a Post Office service to our customers in the local community and since the closure we have been exploring a number of options that would enable us to do this.
In the meantime residents will still need to travel to Shepherds Bush Green or Brook Green if they wish to use the Post Office.
Edward Woods resident, Irene Roberts said: "It would be absolutely marvellous if it does open and everyone I know hopes that an agreement can be reached. We really miss the Post Office. Edward Woods is a bit isolated and we have to trek miles away if we need to go to the Post Office. This is particularly hard for older residents, especially if they are carrying heavy packages with them.”
Fellow resident, Angela Valent, said: “It would be good news it if happens. At the moment I have to go to Shepherds Bush Green or Brook Green if I want to visit the Post Office. It would make my life a lot easier.”
The council has also reacted positively to the news. Greg Smith, cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “We have campaigned vigorously for the Post Office to give residents their branch back and we hope that an agreement can be reached between both parties. This council has an excellent track record when it comes to saving Post Office branches and we all have our fingers crossed that a deal can be struck.”
