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Councillors Lucy Watt and Terry Stacy join Rita Roberts and Dolores Murray to celebrate the success of the Essex Road campaign |
Shock news of closures takes shine off success
Post office campaigners save one branch but four others are axed
ESSEX Road post office has been saved from closure, but celebrations have been tempered by the revelation that four other branches across the borough face the axe.
Liberal Democrat council chiefs in Islington are now under pressure to follow the example of their party colleagues in Camden, who are already in the thick of negotiations with the Post Office over how they might be able to take over the services.
Labour Islington South MP Emily Thornberry, who pressed the Post Office minister Pat McFadden to intervene in the case of Essex Road, said: “I hope the local authority takes up the option to give support to set up a subsidy. I call on the council to seriously look into rolling up their sleeves and finding a practical solution.”
The four Islington post offices on the Post Office’s final hit-list, revealed on Wednesday, are in Blackstock Road and Ferme Park Road in Finsbury Park and Caledonian Road.
The closures have taken the shine off a campaign to save the Essex Road branch, which was one of only a handful across London to get a reprieve.
Lib Dem council leader James Kempton said the Post Office has suggested the onus was not on the Town Hall to take charge.
He added: “We know other councils are looking at running other post offices, but the Post Office has refused to meet us about this. They’ve made their announcement and I think it’s too late. If the Post Office has a proposition for us we’ll consider it. The decision’s been made, we should just be grateful Essex Road has been saved.”
But in neighbouring Camden, the Lib Dems have made great play of their efforts to help save the threatened services – albeit without any guarantees that their takeover plans will lead to success.
George Durack, chairman of Islington Pensioners Forum, said: “The council has a statutory duty to step in. It’s elected to look after the people of Islington. It’s a service and is part and parcel of the community so it should be considered that they should subsidise and keep it open.”
Fellow forum member Pat Haynes added: “It’s not unheard of for a local authority to provide financial loans for any business that wants to include a small post office. The council could help with finding a property or offer one of their own.”
Mary Obogho, who lives in Caledonian Road, said: “I’m totally opposed to the closure of post offices. I’m 76 and I have a lovely one directly opposite me on Caledonian Road and I would hate to have to go any further. I believe the state should provide certain services. If there is no alternative, there’s a great deal to be said for the idea that the council should run the post offices.”
Both Labour and the Lib Dems are claiming credit for the Essex Road victory although neither side will reveal the identity of an unnamed franchise partner lined up to run the services.
Ms Thornberry said: “I’m feeling really pleased with myself. I spoke to the Post Office minister and he confirmed it’s not closing, so I hugged him. In the end what matters is the vulnerable and elderly people who use the post offices.”
Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidate Bridget Fox, who helped collect 5,000 signatures for a protest petition, said: “It’s a great tribute to a great community campaign. It’s bitter-sweet. People say it’s virtually unheard of to reverse a closure decision.”
Suresh Depala, who runs one of the Caledonian Road branches, said: “I have worked in the Post Office for 20 years with four years here. I am not being relocated – everyone working here has lost their jobs.”
Anita Turner, Post Office spokeswoman, said: “We have considered very carefully all the comments made during the public consultation. We believe the amended plan offers our customers in London the best prospect for a sustainable network in the future.” |
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