Thank you so much for signing this petition. To have achieved over 1,700 signatures in such a short time is brilliant and is thanks to you. But there is one more thing ...
We need to send a very strong message to Post Office Ltd and it would be extremely helpful if you could also comment on its own consultation, stressing your support for a stand-alone full-service post office - not an in-store option with fewer counters and fewer services which would be run by retail staff not post office trained staff.
The Post Office Ltd consultation concentrates on its proposed location inside Robert Dyas; its accessibility; and its layout - points that would also be positives in the new location that the current postmasters have identified: on Chiswick Common Road near its junction with Turnham Green Terrace in what would be bespoke and brand new premises. The Post Office consultation does not actively seek comments on the reduced services that would be provided in an in-store operation - or on the risks of having an in-store post office that relies on the success of the host retail operator. Post offices in another national retailer are now at risk with branches due to close. Yet that proposition was promoted as a suitable long-term option.
The Post Office Ltd consultation questions are :
- Getting to the proposed location (Question 4)
- Getting into the proposed location (Question 5)
- Inside the proposed location (Question 6)
- Other feedback on our proposal (Questions 7 - 9)
Question 9 gives you the chance to support the current postmaster's proposal to establish a new stand-alone post office, in bespoke premises, providing the full range of services it provides now, and with the same much-praised and much-valued warm, friendly and professional customer service.
- The deadline to comment is this Friday, 3rd July.
- The consultation is here: https://www.postofficeviews.co.uk/national-consultation-team/chiswick-w44jf-130006/
Post Office Ltd expects to make its decision by the end of July.
Thanks again, so much for singing the petition. I hope you will have time to comment on the Post Office Ltd consultation.
And please continue to share the petition with neighbours and friends. Signatures on the petition count right up to the date of Post Office Ltd's decision - I will keep them informed as numbers increase.
- This is the link to the petition: https://www.change.org/ChiswickPostOfficeFullService
Thank you!
Councillor Joanna Biddolph