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STH WOODFORD: Post Office battle heats up
9:22am Tuesday 11th November 2008
THE FIGHT to get Redbridge Council to help reopen South Woodford Post Office comes to a head next week, as campaigners meet councillors at Ilford Town Hall to discuss their demands.
Over 1,200 people have already signed a petition to reopen the branch on the High Road, which closed in August as part of cost-cutting by the Royal Mail.
Their petition, which officially closes on Monday next week, will be presented to a full council meeting on Thursday (November 20).
The protest was launched following the decision by Essex County Council to step in and help fund the reopening of a branch in Buckhurst Hill, and campaigners say they see no reason why their council cannot do the same.
Petition organiser and head of Chelmsford and Derby Road Neighbourhood Watch, Frank Cruder, said: “We haven’t been running the petition very long but it’s been absolutely great the level of support we’ve got.
“We really need it to reopen. A lot of the businesses that used to use it for banking are finding they are having problems now.”
He added: “I am optimistic but it’s a question of whether Redbridge Council will listen to us.”
Imran Jan, of Churchfields Pharmacy, next to the former branch, said: “The petition speaks for itself. The council just can’t ignore a thousand signatures, all from local people.
“Speaking to the other businesses around here everyone has been affected one way or another. It’s very quiet, a lot of pensioners are now using the post office on George Lane or the one by the castle. But the response to the petition has been very good. Literally everyone coming in here has signed it.
“But I think ultimately it will all boil down to if the council has enough money to help.”
A spokesman for Redbridge Council said: "Redbridge Council opposes Post Office Ltd’s decision to close five Post Offices in the Borough and supports the public view that the network of Post Offices should remain.
"The Council is continuing to consider how it can support local communities dealing with the impacts of these closures."
To get a full list of places where you can sign the petition, visit chelmsfordderbyroadnhw.co.uk or pop into Churchfields Pharmacy on the High Road.
Your Say Your Guardian
Bess, Green House says...
11:37am Tue 11 Nov 08
Bert Small wrote:I think you're a bit confused mate, it isn't a charity shop - the owner is still holding out for it to be reopened but i agree it's a joke one of our most vital resources is closed down while hundreds of noisey bars are opening up all the time
Well this is interesting. I went by there the other day and it is a Charity Shop! Typical, close down a Community facility and then let it become another depressing feature in our everyday High Street scenery.
InsolentMinx, Woodford Green says...
11:40am Tue 11 Nov 08
And there's also a post office opposite the pond next to The Castle, also 5-10 minute walk in the other direction...
Both are on regular bus routes.
I can understand the problem if there wasn't any nearby but to have 3 Post Offices within a mile is a bit silly.
Bert Small, Leyton says...
1:49pm Tue 11 Nov 08
dissenter 2008, P C MADNESSVILLE says...
4:49pm Tue 11 Nov 08
Bert Small wrote:pointless
It had a Charity Shop sign when I saw it last!
Bert Small, Leyton says...
9:55am Wed 12 Nov 08
zahid, swouthwoodford says...
12:07pm Thu 13 Nov 08
Bert Small, Leyton says...
5:04pm Thu 13 Nov 08
It is a great shame that your well established Post Office (and no doubt greatly supported) business has been thrown to the Lions by the former FA Chairman Crozier.
No doubt your Community locally has lost a valuable nerve centre which acts as a synapse.
Hopefully, the people in control of this awful situation will see sense and whilst your Charity Shop is of great importance, I feel that the Post Office would trump it.
I hope you allow Harry Potter books as I heard that one up the road from you has a peculiar phobia to them.
Bert Small, Leyton says...
11:43am Sat 15 Nov 08
This shop supports a long lost tribe in Africa who walk for 55 miles to get water, so I was told by the staff.
Tatenda Trust, London says...
11:28am Mon 17 Nov 08
.uk. Whilst we are glad to be able to use the shop, we hope that the Post Office will re-open as there is obviously a local demand for it.
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Protesters outside the former South Woodford Post Office with their petition. Photo courtesy of Frank Cruder.
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Bert Small, Leyton says...
10:49am Tue 11 Nov 08
Typical, close down a Community facility and then let it become another depressing feature in our everyday High Street scenery.