In 2025, Chiswick Post Office on Heathfield Terrace closed unexpectedly with no explanation of why, or when it would re-open. Over 3,660 people signed our petition for it to be reopened. The closure resulted in widespread scepticism about whether the post office would ever re-open. When it did re-open, with new and experienced postmasters and a team which was immediately praised by customers for its warm, efficient, professionalism, residents and businesses assumed that Chiswick would continue to have a stand-alone full-service post office. This was confirmed when the new postmasters applied for the change of use at different premises so they could continue to provide a full-service post office in the heart of Chiswick. The new proposal by Post Office Ltd – a much smaller in-store post office with fewer services, and no professional post office staff – has shocked residents. It is wholly inadequate for Chiswick whose residents and businesses need and deserve a stand-alone full-service post office. The current postmasters are keen and ready to establish a brand-new post office in new premises in the heart of Chiswick. 

THE PETITION

We, the undersigned, call on Post Office Ltd to support the current postmasters’ proposal to open a brand new stand-alone full-service post office at a suitable location in Chiswick.

The proposal to share premises with a retail operator is wholly inadequate for Chiswick especially as there are now no other post offices in W4. The frequent long queues at Heathfield Terrace could not be accommodated in a shared retail unit.  

The reduction in services would force customers to travel out of the area. This would be hugely inconvenient for older and vulnerable people, the many Chiswick businesses that rely on post office services, and anyone short of time, and would inevitably mean demand for services in Chiswick would decline putting at risk the future of any form of post office in Chiswick.

Additionally, the proposal 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.

While the proposed retail operator in Chiswick might appear to be more stable, this cannot be guaranteed. Yet a guarantee of the full range of post office services is what Chiswick residents and businesses need and deserve.

Chiswick deserves better than a “better than nothing” proposal

• counters will be reduced to three from five
• retail staff will not be post office trained
• no flexibility of increased hours at peak times such as Christmas
• the current postmasters will match the additional hour to 6pm as in the proposed retail premises
• no flexibility on busier days and at peak times when all five counters need to be staffed
• the reduction in staff will frustrate customers who will go elsewhere, the level of business will decline potentially leading to closure.

Services that would be lost

• banking services reduced
• money transfer service
• document certification
• government services such as passport applications (digital and paper) and DVLA photocard renewal
• Evri which is in high demand in Chiswick
• Drop and Go which is vital to so many businesses
• improved customer service which is praised every day by customers
• reliability of staffing levels and flexibility to bring on more staff when business peaks.

Impact on local residents

A stand-alone full-service post office requires, as now, four collections or deliveries a day, all within post office opening hours. Royal Mail vans have dispensation to stop on double yellow lines without affecting parking spaces. Other services (DPD, Evri) stop for a few minutes in a loading bay to collect parcels and load the van. 

Summary

The current postmasters keenly want to continue to serve the Chiswick community. Their team has received high praise from customers for their friendly professionalism. Customers deserve the continuity of postmasters whose business is staying in business as postmasters. With postmasters whose motive is to run a successful business, the future of a post office in Chiswick is far more secure. Any post office established in Chiswick by them will be brand-new. 

With around 50,000 residents; several thousand incoming workers a day; numerous retail, hospitality and service businesses; and customers from beyond W4, Chiswick needs and deserves a stand-alone full-service post office, not a quick-fix option that depends on the success of the host operator.  

We call on Post Office Ltd to show its commitment to serving our community by changing its plans and instead supporting the current postmasters’ proposal to continue to provide a full-service post office in stand-alone premises in the heart of Chiswick.  

Please act now by signing and sharing this petition to show your support for a stand-alone full-service post office in Chiswick.  

Councillor Joanna Biddolph