Branches in High Barnet, Golders Green and Cricklewood are all at risk of closure, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter
Local councillors and MPs are opposing plans to close three local Post Office branches.
The Barnet, Golders Green and Cricklewood branches are among 115 under threat of closure following the chair of the Post Office’s five-year ‘transformation plan’ announcement last week.
A Post Office spokesperson confirmed the move to shut or refranchise the directly-managed branches was a bid to “reduce our central costs”. The move could affect as many as 1,000 jobs.
In response, Labour councillors and Barnet MPs have joined forces to save the local branches under threat, with three separate petitions being signed by more than 3,000 people combined.
Supporting the campaign, council leader Barry Rawlings said: “Post offices are at the heart of our high streets and it is vital that we protect them. I am backing Barnet Labour’s campaign to keep the Golders Green and Barnet post offices open.”
Cricklewood Post Office, in Cricklewood Broadway, technically lies on the Brent side of the borough boundary, which runs through the high street.
Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman said: “Post offices provide essential services for our community.
“This announcement is extremely concerning for people in Golders Green and Cricklewood, for residents and local businesses alike.
“I will continue to reach out to residents, activists and staff over the next few days to discuss how we can protect these much-needed services – and mitigate any potential impact on jobs.”
Chipping Barnet MP Dan Tomlinson said: “I am deeply concerned that Barnet Post Office has been earmarked for closure.
“Post offices are cornerstones in our local communities, providing
vital services and creating jobs for residents.
“I encourage all constituents to make their voices heard and sign the
petition launched in collaboration with our local councillors. Now and
always, I will campaign to protect Chipping Barnet’s services.”
Childs Hill councillor Nigel Young, whose ward contains Golders Green Post Office, said: “Golders Green Post Office is a lynchpin of our high street. Closing it would be a blow to our local economy and community. Let’s fight together to keep it open and please sign the petition.”
In response to enquiries, Post Office Ltd said it was “considering a range of options” and, without confirming, suggested Golders Green and Cricklewood may be taken on by either a retail partner or an independent postmaster.
Highlighting the plan was in its early stages, the spokesperson said:“We are considering a range of options to reduce our central costs. This includes considering the future of our remaining directly managed branches (DMBs), which are loss-making.
“We have had long held a publicly-stated ambition to move to a fully franchised network and we are in dialogue with the unions about future options for the DMBs.”
Sign the petition to save Barnet Post Office:
Visit change.org/p/save-barnet-post-office
Sign the petition to save Golders Green Post Office:
Visit change.org/p/save-golders-green-post-office
Sign the petition to save Cricklewood Post Office:
Visit change.org/p/save-cricklewood-post-office
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