As of 17:30 on Wednesday 6 March, following a public consultation and extensive local campaign, Clapham Common Post Office closed. Residents lost the bid to save the Directly Managed Branch (DMB) on Clapham High Street.
Alison Inglis-Jones, local Labour Councillor said that there is another campaign planned as she believes residents were not heard.
A public consultation opened in mid-November last year after the Post Office announced plans to close the branch. The decision was due to the landlord offering a lease break alongside significant repairs that were required on the building.
The announcement was met with an extensive opposition campaign, including weekly protests on a Saturday. These were run by The Communications Workers Union and several councillors, including Cllr Inglis-Jones.
The campaign has also been supported by Labour MPs Florence Eshalomi, Vauxhall and Bell Ribeiro Addy, Streatham. Ms Eshalomi explained that it would be a “shame to lose such a valuable community asset”.
The movement also included a petition which was signed by over 6000 locals, a march along the High Street and extensive social media coverage.
A crowd of people gathered to protest the closure of the ‘community asset’. Credit: Alison Inglis-Jones
In a statement to City News, a Post Office spokesperson thanked colleagues and explained that they are preparing to ensure they can continue to serve all customers.
“We can confirm that Clapham Common DMB will close today (6 March). We want to thank our colleagues past and present who have worked at the branch serving customers.
“We have advertised an opportunity for interested retailers to operate a Post Office in the local area. Over the past weeks [we] have been working with nearby postmasters at surrounding branches to make sure that they are ready to meet the additional footfall and maintain the high quality of service our customers are used to.”
Throughout the consultation, the Post Office noted that there are four alternative branches within two miles of Clapham Common’s Directly Managed Branch – Balham Hill Post Office, Cedars Post Office, Alfriston Road Post Office and Balham Post Office.
Map showing the four other branches within two miles of Clapham Common Post Office, which the Post Office mentioned in their statement. Credit: Jessica Phillips
Ms Inglis-Jones, Councillor for Clapham Common & Abbeville explained her disappointment at the decision.
“I don’t feel residents were heard”, she says. “It’s completely unacceptable, especially for residents with disabilities, the elderly or with small children.
“We won’t be giving up! We have another campaign planned, ‘Where’s our Post Office?’ and surrounding PR and support.
“We hope that another unit or a retail space will open with a four person desk space for Post Office services. We are in touch with a post office employee who has been seen scouting out new possibilities. We would also like a post office service on Clapham Park.”
Kate, a resident in Clapham talks of her friend and postal worker from the branch. “He joined the Post Office after he left school at 18. He’s out of the job after 38 years of good service. We are all gutted for him. I also feel for the local people of Clapham – it’s so unfair.”
The Post Office is currently accepting applications to run a local branch on their behalf.
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HeadlineClapham Post Office has closed after locals fight to keep it operating
Short HeadlineLocal campaigners lose battle to save Post Office
StandfirstCampaigners have been fighting to keep Clapham Common Post Office open, but despite a public consultation, it has officially closed.
As of 17:30 on Wednesday 6 March, following a public consultation and extensive local campaign, Clapham Common Post Office closed. Residents lost the bid to save the Directly Managed Branch (DMB) on Clapham High Street.
Alison Inglis-Jones, local Labour Councillor said that there is another campaign planned as she believes residents were not heard.
A public consultation opened in mid-November last year after the Post Office announced plans to close the branch. The decision was due to the landlord offering a lease break alongside significant repairs that were required on the building.
The announcement was met with an extensive opposition campaign, including weekly protests on a Saturday. These were run by The Communications Workers Union and several councillors, including Cllr Inglis-Jones.
The campaign has also been supported by Labour MPs Florence Eshalomi, Vauxhall and Bell Ribeiro Addy, Streatham. Ms Eshalomi explained that it would be a “shame to lose such a valuable community asset”.
The movement also included a petition which was signed by over 6000 locals, a march along the High Street and extensive social media coverage.
A crowd of people gathered to protest the closure of the ‘community asset’. Credit: Alison Inglis-Jones
In a statement to City News, a Post Office spokesperson thanked colleagues and explained that they are preparing to ensure they can continue to serve all customers.
“We can confirm that Clapham Common DMB will close today (6 March). We want to thank our colleagues past and present who have worked at the branch serving customers.
“We have advertised an opportunity for interested retailers to operate a Post Office in the local area. Over the past weeks [we] have been working with nearby postmasters at surrounding branches to make sure that they are ready to meet the additional footfall and maintain the high quality of service our customers are used to.”
Throughout the consultation, the Post Office noted that there are four alternative branches within two miles of Clapham Common’s Directly Managed Branch – Balham Hill Post Office, Cedars Post Office, Alfriston Road Post Office and Balham Post Office.
Map showing the four other branches within two miles of Clapham Common Post Office, which the Post Office mentioned in their statement. Credit: Jessica Phillips
Ms Inglis-Jones, Councillor for Clapham Common & Abbeville explained her disappointment at the decision.
“I don’t feel residents were heard”, she says. “It’s completely unacceptable, especially for residents with disabilities, the elderly or with small children.
“We won’t be giving up! We have another campaign planned, ‘Where’s our Post Office?’ and surrounding PR and support.
“We hope that another unit or a retail space will open with a four person desk space for Post Office services. We are in touch with a post office employee who has been seen scouting out new possibilities. We would also like a post office service on Clapham Park.”
Kate, a resident in Clapham talks of her friend and postal worker from the branch. “He joined the Post Office after he left school at 18. He’s out of the job after 38 years of good service. We are all gutted for him. I also feel for the local people of Clapham – it’s so unfair.”
The Post Office is currently accepting applications to run a local branch on their behalf.
