Forum Topic

Time May Be Running Out To Save Chiswick's Post Office

Thank you for the article about Chiswick Post Office at Heathfield Terrace and the King's Mall (Hammersmith) Post Office. The background investigation into the property transactions at Heathfield Terrace is crucial. The fate of the Hammersmith Post Office seems to be part of the King's Mall property transactions.... or is it?

Una-Jane Winfield ● 2311d8 Comments

https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/01/ikea-buys-hammersmiths-kings-mall-launch-first-small-uk-store/This was before Covid 19.

Philippa Bond ● 2311d

Very interesting. Thank you, Philippa!

Una-Jane Winfield ● 2311d

It is hard to be optimistic about the future of the Post Office. Post Office Ltd have posted a report that shows that the number of branches has remained more or less the same over the past five years but if you drill down into the numbers you see the true picture. The number of Crown post offices (i.e. directly owned) and franchise branches such as those run by independent postmasters or companies like WH Smith has been steadily declining and all the growth has been in 'community outreach' branches in small rural communities (presumably funded by the government to ensure these areas still have some sort of service).What this shows is that urban post offices are being lost and not replaced. The sale and lease back deal with Trillium was designed to provide a short term boost to profits but now the full cost will be realised.It seems highly unlikely that once the lease expires the Heathfield Terrace branch won't be knocked down and developed into flats with perhaps some retail or a restaurant on the ground floor but not a post office.

Francis Rowe ● 2311d

Can the public manage without a Post Office?  Is the POST OFFICE the ONLY place handling certain services face to face.  I know you should be able to do most things on line but not everyone has access to a computer.  What about Proof of Posting?  Recorded Delivery?  Stamps can be bought in many places but where do you go to find cost of sending bulky items or things of high value?  Even with a leaflet to explain, you'd still need accurate and suitable scales to weigh the package/parcel and tape measure to measure it.  Not easy for some people.

Jennifer Selig ● 2311d

UK Government investments own Post Office Ltd. possibly amenable to political pressure. There are, unfortunately, plenty of sites available on CHR. So it's a question of whether the Government can be persuaded to provide a service. Chiswick's Cllrs could do something useful and write a letter to the appropriate Minister.

David McLoughlin ● 2310d

Now there's an idea!  Wish we could have a Post Office back in Grove Park either in the row of shops by the new Co-op of in the other 2 rows of shops in GP.  Brave Mrs Joshi in SotGreen will help but she is very much part time and not easy to get there either.

Jennifer Selig ● 2310d

The horrific Horizon IT scandal which has ruined lives and which still doesn't seem to have been completely sorted outhasn't helped.  It is as if someone didn't want the system to work.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-51817918

Philippa Bond ● 2310d

Mail Boxes on the High Road offers most of the postal services that the Post Office does, Jennifer.  I have been a customer for the years and can't even remember the last time I went into the depressing Post Office.  Mail Boxes is quick, efficient, helpful, rarely a queue (and if there is it's a short one.  Although that may change if the PO goes.  They are dog-friendly too.  All round a much better experience than the PO.

Claire Moran ● 2309d