Residents Urged to Help Save Shepherd's Bush Green Post Office

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As plans are revealed to close it and move service within Westfield WHSmith

Residents of Shepherd's Bush are being urged to help save the large Post Office on the west side of Shepherd's Bush Green by taking part in a public consultation over its future.

The proposed move would see the long established Post Office close and the service moved within WHSmith in Westfield.

Hmmersmith MP Andy Slaughter has responded saying: " I'm concerned about the announcement to relocate Shepherds Bush Post Office, especially as I was told three weeks ago that there were no plans to do this.

"The current branch is well-used and in a good location. The new site is not in the town centre and it is less accessible, making it more difficult for local people to use the services provided by the Post Office."

Map showing location of Post Office

In a letter accompanying the consultation about the Post Office, at 65 -69 Shepherd's Bush Green from Roger Gale, General Manager of Crown and WH Smith Network states that the move would take place next March. He says: "I’m writing to let you know that we’re proposing to move Shepherd's Bush Crown Post Office to the WHSmith store at Westfield Shopping Centre, Wood Lane, Shepherd's Bush, London, W12 7GD. If the move goes ahead the branch would continue to be run by Post Office Ltd with the current Post Office team but from within the WHSmith store.

"This move is part of our ongoing modernisation of the network and will allow us to maintain a Crown Post Office in Shepherd's Bush while providing a new modern branch for our customers from a bright new environment.

"The Post Office operation in Shepherd's Bush will remain a Crown Post Office. However, we believe the WHSmith store will provide an excellent host location for this branch, which would continue to be known as Shepherd's Bush Crown Post Office. The WHSmith retail offer will complement the wide range of Post Office products and services that will continue to be available following the move.

" The new branch will operate from a newly built dedicated open plan Post Office area located on the ground floor to the rear of the WHSmith store. Access into the store from the shopping centre is level, with the entrances being kept open during store opening times. Directional signage will be provided from the entrance door through to the new Post Office area.

"We are aware the WHSmith store currently opens at 10am but I am pleased to be able to say that should the move go ahead they will bring forward their opening time so that the Post Office can continue to operate the same opening hours as at present.

" We will be working with WHSmith to ensure there are sufficiently wide, clear aisles and there is adequate space for Post Office customers, including wheelchair users, so they can easily access the Post Office area."

You can read the letter in full here.

Residents have until December 7 to make their views heard, either by using the QR code scanner contained in the consultation, emailing comments@postoffice.co.uk, calling 03457 22 33 44 or textphone 03457 22 33 55 or sending a letter by FREEPOST to Your Comments.

On his blog, Andy Slaughter says: " This is the last Post Office in the area in a dedicated building. It is in an accessible town centre location, and in my experience is always busy.

"This would also be a further service gone from the Shepherds Bush Green area, as both Morrisons and HSBC have said that they are to close their local branches."

Comedian Richard K Herring has also given his oinion on the plan, tweeting ‏@Herring1967:
"W12 residents - I think this is worth fighting."

Andy adds that he is keen to hear directly from local residents,as he is meeting with Post Office Ltd next week to discuss their plans, and to ask for further details.

He says: "It would be very helpful if you could send me an e-mail with any thoughts, and also let other local residents know, as in my experience these closures are not well advertised."

You can contact him by emailing andy@andyslaughter.com.

 

October 31, 2016

 

October 31, 2016