18 February 2008
City of London Corporation launches Post Office petition
Proposals by Royal Mail to close a Post Office in the heart of
London’s financial centre were today criticised by the City of
London Corporation, which has launched an online petition in
protest.
The City Corporation is urging the Square Mile’s 9,000 residents
and 340,000 workers to voice their opposition to plans to close the
office at 12-18 New Bridge Street, just yards from St Paul’s
Cathedral.
Five years ago there were eight Post Offices in the City.
Currently there are only four operating in the Square Mile. These
are:
- 12-18 New Bridge Street, EC4V 6HX (proposed for closure).
- 53 Moorgate, EC2R 6BH
- 35 Broadgate Circle, EC2M 2BY
- 12 Eastcheap, EC3M 1AJ
There is considerable pressure on these four branches, with
users complaining they can queue for around 45 minutes at peak
times in at least one branch.
Despite the shortage of Post Office capacity, Royal Mail has
announced its intention to close the office at 12-18 New Bridge
Street. This is ahead of an announcement expected to be made by
Royal Mail on Tuesday 19th February on additional proposals for the
whole of London under its Network Change Programme.
The proposed closure comes at a time when the City’s population
is expected to grow to around 13,000 residents and 416,000 workers
by 2016.
Reflecting this, the City Corporation has been lobbying Royal
Mail Group for an increase in its provision of Post Offices.
Michael Snyder, Chairman of Policy and Resources at the City of
London Corporation, said: “The number of Post Offices in the Square
Mile is unacceptable and fails to meet the demands of City
residents, small businesses and workers – as queues down the
streets so clearly demonstrate.
“The City has a reputation which has been built upon delivering
quality business support and world class services - Post Office
provision is a key contributor to this. We are addressing this
matter with Royal Mail at the highest level.”
Ends
Notes to editors
- The online petition can be found at
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/postoffices.
- City Corporation received written notification from Royal Mail
of its proposal to close the Post Office on New Bridge Street last
month.
- Royal Mail will announce its proposals for London as part of
its UK-wide Network Change Programme on Tuesday 19
February.
City of London Corporation:
The City of London provides local government services for the
Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of Britain, and is
committed to maintaining and enhancing the status of the business
City as the world's leading international financial and business
centre through its policies and services. Its responsibilities also
extend far beyond the City boundaries and include management of the
Barbican Centre, Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, 10,700
acres of open space including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest,
three wholesale food markets, as well as acting as the London Port
Health Authority.