Camden News: Post office | closure

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Camden News - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 1 May 2008

PO rescue bid hits obstacle

SECRECY over the financial health of four post offices threatened with closure is hindering a rescue bid, it was claimed this week.
The Town Hall hopes to take over four post offices – in South End Green, Hampstead, Belsize Park, Highgate and Somers Town.
But Lib Dem council leader Councillor Keith Moffitt revealed on Tuesday that preliminary discussions had been hampered by the Post Office’s refusal to reveal the turnover of the branches.
Cllr Moffitt said: “They want us to basically write a blank cheque. It is very frustrating.
“They are still refusing to hand over information we need to take the idea forward. We need to know exactly what we would be letting ourselves in for financially and we have had little success so far.”
A Post Office spokesman said the Town Hall would have to guarantee it was able to manage the service well. He added: “We are willing to work with such groups or bodies, but any proposals will need to demonstrate ability to provide premises, staff to manage the provision of services and, crucially, sufficient funding to cover any one-off, set-up costs of the operation and the ongoing fixed costs until at least March 2011.
“We have to consider potential effects on other post offices in the area as we cannot endanger those businesses.”
A consultation period during which the public were asked for their views on plans to shut the four post offices ended last week. The results are due to be made public on Wednesday.

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