Post office counter comes to Askew Road
A new post office counter is set to open in Askew Road Library later this year, allowing residents to pick up their missed post locally.
As part of a deal between the council and the Royal Mail, the library will also get an £87,000 facelift, including new flooring and counters. The Royal Mail enquiry counter will be situated in the room that currently houses
the children's library, which will be moved to the back of the building.
Maureen Lee, of Barnes and Sons Funeral Directors and Chair of Askew Road Business Watch, said the new post office counter would benefit the area: “It will certainly bring people to the library and Askew Road in general so it is definitely a positive move."
Currently, residents have to travel to the Silver Road enquiry office near Westfield to pick up their missed post and parcels. However, residents say it is far from convenient.
"It takes time to collect items from Silver Road, which is not exactly on the beaten track, it has huge queues because it is only open in the mornings (in working hours and Saturday mornings), everyone has to keep returning to fetch items which are not there the first time of collection and frustration is evident! If an item has been sent to a certain address, it is not necessarily possible to get it re-delivered elsewhere, for example at one's work address," complained one W12 resident who declined to be named.
Andrew Gill, Royal Mail Project Manager, said Askew Road would provide a more convenient collection point: "Royal Mail is delighted that we have been able to work with Hammersmith and Fulham Council to secure the future of a local callers' office for the residents of Hammersmith, this means that anyone receiving a Royal Mail "Sorry...you were out" card will be able to pick up their packages or letters locally in a new callers' office based in Askew Road library. This underlines Royal Mail's commitment to retain local access for our customers."
Cllr Paul Bristow, cabinet member for resident’s services, added: “This is fantastic news for all concerned. Askew Road Library is a perfect location for the enquiry office and is far more accessible for most residents than Silver Road. I am thrilled that we have been able to negotiate such a fantastic deal. The £87,000 that we have secured will enable us give the library a massive revamp."
The refurbishment means the library will be closed from Monday January 18 to Wednesday January 20 inclusive and from Monday February 22 to Monday March 8 inclusive. The library will reopen on March 9 and the enquiry counter will open for the first time on Monday March 15.
January 13, 2010