Victory as post office returns to W14
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
29/01/2009
The post office will return to W14, almost a year after it shut in a ‘temporary closure’.
The post office counter inside Costcutter on Hammersmith Road closed in February last year, handing W14 the dubious honour of being the first postcode in London not to have a branch since postcodes were introduced in 1857.
But, after vigorous campaigning from Hammersmith & Fulham Council and borough residents, the council has received verbal confirmation that the branch is back.
Das Sodha, the owner of North End News, has just signed, sealed and delivered a contract with the Post Office to become a new sub-post master. The shop on North End Road - just yards from Costcutter - will house a counter but it is not known yet when the branch will be up and running.
Mr Sodha, 47, said he had contacted the Post Office immediately after Costcutter closed to offer his shop as an alternative venue and was looking forward to opening. He said: "I can't wait! It has been a long process with lots of checks and interviews but it is now all finalised - I only found out recently. The shop is being refurbished at the minute but it is business as usual."
Mr Sodha said he had received support from local residents, with over 600 people signing a petition to bring the branch to his shop. "Everyone around here has wanted a post office for such a long time and it will be really good for the area to have it back."
Councillor Paul Bristow, cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “W14 was the first postcode in London without a post office and we finally have our branch back. It should never have been taken away in the first place and post office managers should learn that local people know best.
“Since day one, we have been asking the Post Office to give residents their branch, and now it is finally happening. The fight to save postal services in this borough has been tough, but this is a well-earned victory from which so many people will benefit.”
With no nearby branch, local people have been forced out of the W14 postcode to Hammersmith and Shepherds Bush, where queues are among the top five worst in London. Last year, Postwatch Greater London - which has now merged with consumer watchdogs Energywatch and the National Consumer Council - monitored seven post offices and found that Shepherds Bush was the fourth worst branch in the capital for queuing times.
Cllr Bristow added: “Being without a post office has placed an intolerable burden on branches in neighbouring areas, particularly Shepherds Bush in W12, where the queues are now horrendous. On one occasion it took me almost half an hour to post one small parcel - double the average waiting time of 14 minutes and 12 seconds.
“Reinstating a branch at North End News will mean the end of journeys out of the postcode for Olympia residents and workers, and will restore a sorely missed, vital community hub.”
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