Dan Tomlinson welcomed the decision to franchise the branch which had been listed for potential closure reports David Floyd

Chipping Barnet MP Dan Tomlinson standing in front of a post box on the wall outside High Barnet Post Office — Dan Tomlinson outside High Barnet Post Office – (Credit – Office of Dan Tomlinson MP)

Chipping Barnet’s MP has described the announcement that a local post office will remain open as “a tremendous victory for our community”.

Dan Tomlinson had been campaigning alongside local residents to save the High Barnet branch after the Post Office announced in November 2024 that it was under threat of closure, along with the other remaining branches directly managed by the company and, in February, the MP met with local and national managers to make the case that any plans to close the branch should be dropped.

A Save Barnet Post Office petition set up by Barnet Labour attracted over 2,500 signatures.

Yesterday, the Post Office announced that all the remaining branches “will be franchised by the autumn” adding that: “This means that those communities that currently have a Directly Managed Branch in their area will continue to be able to access Post Office services either at, or near to, the same location.”

Responding to the news, Tomlinson told Barnet Post: “This is a tremendous victory for our community. The Post Office is vital to High Barnet and serves thousands of residents. Working with residents across Barnet, we’ve demonstrated what can be achieved when a community unites behind an essential service.

“I understand that Post Office staff are concerned about changes within the organisation that may take place, and I have spoken to CWU directly since the recent announcement. I will continue to work with and support union members as we find out more from the Post Office about the exact nature of future plans.”

The Post Office’s decision was also welcomed Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman who had been campaigning to save branches in her constituency.

She told the Post: “I am delighted to hear today’s announcement today that Golders Green and Cricklewood post offices will be staying open. Having met with residents who use the post office in Golders Green and staff who work there over the winter months, I was struck by the strength of feeling amongst local people who wanted it to remain open. It made me more determined to campaign to keep our local service.”

She added: “Though I am pleased with this announcement, we must ensure that residents do not see a change in service. I will be writing to the Post Office to ask for a guarantee that steps are being taken to ensure services and opening hours remain the same.”

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