Blackfriars Road post office to close – but hopefully not for long, says official

Blackfriars Road post office will close later this month after the private operator that has run the branch for the past five years announced its intention to withdraw the service.  

Post Office bosses described the closure of the branch near Waterloo East railway station as ‘temporary’. 

Private firm ZCO Ltd took over the branch in 2018. It had previously been directly run by Post Office Ltd. 

Sarah Wileman, of Post Office Ltd, has issued a notice about the imminent closure, while expressing confidence that it will soon reopen again. 

“Regrettably, following the resignation of our retail partner ZCO Ltd and the withdrawal of the premises for Post Office use, the above branch will be closing temporarily on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 5.30pm,” she has told customers. 

“I would like to assure you that we are working hard to keep any period of closure to a minimum and we are currently investigating the options available, which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community. 

“In exploring this, it is important that any future service is sustainable for the person operating the service, and for Post Office Limited.” 

Customers are being directed to the post offices at the corner of Cornwall Road and Upper Ground and at the Co-op in Southwark Bridge Road as alternatives. 

Pictured top: Blackfriars Road post office (Picture: Google Street View)