Fight to save ‘vital’ post office, as 115 branches face being axed

The threatened closure of a Southwark post office has sparked cross-party concerns over the loss of yet another ‘vital service’ in the borough.

London Bridge post office, in Borough High Street, is one of 115 branches facing closure across the country as part of an overhaul aimed at restructuring the business.

The Post Office revealed it was looking to offload 115 directly-owned branches within its 11,500 network, which could see them transferred to retail partners or postmasters, or potentially closed.

Since the announcement, the Southwark Liberal Democrats have launched a petition to prevent the move, which would “leave many residents without easy access to essential postal and banking services”.

Lib Dem Borough and Bankside councillor Victor Chamberlain said:  “The closure of London Bridge post office would be a devastating blow to our area. This facility provides services that are indispensable to our residents, especially older adults.

“Asking people to travel further for basic services would place an unfair burden on some of our most vulnerable residents.”

Cllr Chamberlain and Cllr Rachel Bentley have also jointly written to the chief executive of the Post Office to urge a rethink.

In their letter, they draw attention to the fact that a nearby post office in Blackfriars Road had been closed “temporarily” last year, but has not reopened since.

The move has also sparked concerns from the Labour-led council, with Cllr John Batteson and Cllr Stephanie Cryan writing to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to call for staff and services to be protected.

Cllr Batteson said :“The news that the Post Office is considering the closure of the London Bridge post office is deeply disappointing. It continues a long-term trend of post office closures that has hit Southwark over the years.

“We urgently need clarity from the Post Office as to its plans. They must clearly explain how they will work with trade unions to protect staff and how they will protect the services that so many residents and workers in Southwark rely on.”

The Post Office has been approached for comment.

The petition to save London Bridge Post Office can be found here: https://www.southwark-libdems.org.uk/savelondonbridgepostoffice

Pictured top: The London Bridge post office in Borough High Street is one of 115 branches facing closure across the country (Picture: Southwark Lib Dems)