Novel rescue plan for W14
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
21/05/2008
The fight to save W14 from being the only postcode in London without a Post Office goes on, after Barons Court Library emerged as a possible saviour.
Following the remarkable victory in saving half of the borough’s Post Offices under the axe earlier this month, campaigners have vowed to bring a branch back to W14.
If Post Office bosses agree to Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s bold rescue plan, Post Office customers would see the full range of services running from Barons Court Library in West Kensington.
Cllr Paul Bristow, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, has been leading the charge against Post Office closures locally. He said: “Through the weight of our arguments residents, working with the council, managed to save three of our Post Offices from closure. Given that only four others were saved across the whole of London this is a remarkable achievement. Now the fight goes on. We will not put up with W14 being the only postcode in London without a branch of its own.”
W14 became the first postcode in London, since 1857, not to have its own branch when the counters inside the Costcutter on the corner of North End Road and Hammersmith Road closed in January. The Olympia branch, inside the small supermarket, struggled on gamely in the empty shop after the Costcutter closed before Christmas but eventually closed its doors four months ago.
The Post Office originally told residents that it was a ‘temporary closure’ but four months later local Post Office customers still have nowhere to go.
Cllr Bristow continues, “Post Office Ltd have had enough time to sort the W14 mess out and we are now calling on them to open a counter inside Barons Court Library. They viewed the site with me last month and the ball is now firmly in their court. We can offer space, the same opening hours, a safe and secure environment and are willing to go in as a joint venture.
“The offer to house Post Office services in Barons Court Library has been made and we know many local people, particularly our elderly and more vulnerable residents, relied on the W14 branch, not just for errands, but as a vital community hub. The Post Office has a duty to provide a service in the W14 area and we are demanding that they pull their fingers out and sort the W14 issue out as soon as possible.”
You can have your say on the W14 closure by clicking on www.lbhf.gov.uk/postofficeclosures.
