Don’t take away our Post Offices

By Sippy Azizollah
Voices of protest have been heard against plans to shut two Post Offices that serve people in East Finchley. The Post Offices in East End Road and in the High Road, just over the North Circular, near Squires Lane, are scheduled for closure as part of a national cost-cutting plan.
The closures will leave the community with just one Post Office, in Viceroy Parade, High Road, to serve the whole of N2. The nearest alternatives will be in North Finchley and Muswell Hill.

The Archer has talked to a number of residents living in East End Road. All say that the closure of this post office will be a disaster for the area. Residents in Strawberry Vale who use the branch near Squires Lane will be equally affected.

Customers told us that the main branch in the High Road already has extremely long queues and often has only two windows open during busy lunchtimes. Some have spent 30 minutes in the queue there and they fear the waits will get even longer.

Care time will be wasted
Many of the East End Road residents we spoke to rely on carers to do shopping and to deal with pensions and mail. They say travel time to the High Road branch will take carers away from the home and eat into valuable care time.

One young lady told me that there were days when she was unable to go very far: “This office is really convenient for me, the staff behind the counter are really kind and helpful.”  

If the branches have to close, residents are calling on the Post Office to provide a door-to-door service for people living in retirement homes and sheltered housing.

Finchley Society speaks out
Their concerns were echoed by The Finchley Society, which said the loss of the two branches would be a severe blow to local people, especially the elderly, and would affect trade in other shops nearby.
Chairman David Smith said: “The Society’s opposition reflects the strong views of Society members. This issue is not just about Post Offices; it is about defending the quality of life.”

Post Office response
Anita Turner, Post Office Ltd’s Network Development Manager for London, said: “Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know it will cause concern to many of our customers. Our aim is to continue to provide essential services and support retail businesses and the local economy in as many communities as possible, subject to the minimum access criteria set by the Government.”

These access criteria state that 99% of the UK population should be within three miles of their nearest Post Office branch, and 90% within one mile.

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