Time running out for main Fulham post office
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
28/08/2007
PO Ltd set to reject latest council proposal to save Farm Lane branch
Time is running out for Fulham’s main post office – after a closure date of November was announced by Post Office Ltd bosses.
The news comes as H&F Council puts forward a second proposal to save the Farm Lane branch after the offer of moving it into Fulham Town Hall was rejected by post office management.
The council’s latest suggestion is to transfer the post office to Fulham Library, in Fulham Road. The post office could share space in the library itself or move to the library’s exhibition hall. The move would offer long-term stability for the post office and help generate income for the library, which could be invested across the borough’s library service.
However, the scheme is likely to be snubbed by Post Office Ltd bosses, who have already said their plans are too far advanced with WH Smith to consider any alternative proposals.
Local people and organisations have until 20 September to make any comments on the facilities which will be provided when the post office transfers to the WH Smith’s shop in North End Road. The seven-week consultation on the proposal to close the Fulham post office is on the type of service at the chain store, not on whether the move should happen. The number of counters at the new W H Smith post office will be 10 instead of 13.
The seven-year deal with the retail chain is part of a controversial national drive to merge 70 post office outlets with WH Smith’s shops by next summer.
About 600 residents have already signed the council’s petition against the merger plan for Fulham and in June more than 80 local people packed a protest meeting organised by the council.
Local people and leading politicians voiced concerns about the quality of service, the long-term future of the post office if WH Smith’s gets taken over by another retailer and how the relocated facilities would fit into the small WH Smith’s shop in North End Road.
Residents and councillors also questioned the need to close a post office which is always so busy.
Sara Glazebrook, of Ongar Road, Fulham, said, “Moving it to WH Smith’s is absurd because the queues at the post office are huge.”
Cllr Paul Bristow, the council’s Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said, “Our campaign to save Fulham’s main post office continues and nearly 600 residents have already signed our petition. We will also put forward an alternative proposal to move Fulham’s main post office to Fulham Library or the library’s exhibition hall. This would give the service more security than relying on a commercial retailer – as well as generating revenue which could be reinvested into the library service. However, I am not optimistic that the idea will receive a positive response from Post Office Ltd, whose minds already seem to be made up.”
Local people wanting to make representations to the Post Office can sign the petition, which can be downloaded from our website as a pdf, or write to Phillippa Wright, National Consultation Manager, Post Office Ltd, c/o – National Consultation Team, PO Box 2060, Watford WD18 8ZW. You can also share your views on the council’s website at www.lbhf.gov.uk/shareyourviews or contact watchdog body Postwatch at 22 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W OTT or email london@postwatch.co.uk
