Anger and disappointment at latest Islington post office closure

Published by Sian Williams for Islington Council - Head Office in Local Government

Councillors have expressed their strong disappointment and concern at the news that Post Office Ltd have decided to close Islington's Goswell Road post office.

The post office in Clerkenwell ward bordering Bunhill was not originally included in the Post Office Ltds list to meet the governments target of closing 2,500 local Post Offices nationwide. However, the reprieve of a branch in Walthamstow saw the Goswell Road branchs future put into doubt in June.

Islington Council and local residents protested vigorously and submitted a detailed document outlining the reasons why the post office should not be shut down. These have been ignored by Post Office Ltd.

Cllr Lucy Watt, deputy leader of Islington Council, said: This is a devastating blow for some of our most vulnerable residents. Local post offices are an essential resource - especially for many pensioners. It's no good saying there are other branches if people are not physically able to get to them.

The fact is, Islington is being unfairly picked on. We are losing too many post offices - in the last few years 17 post offices used by Islington residents have gone. Goswell Road will join that shameful list.

"I am disappointed and angry that this nationwide programme of closures has once again targeted Islington.

I cannot understand how the Post Office could continue with this closure in the face of the evidence that we provided about the very high local need for these services.

Goswell Road post office serves an area where many people are out of work and in receipt of benefits; where there is a considerable proportion of elderly and disabled residents who rely on the post office for pensions, benefits and as a lifeline to the outside world; and there is a student population of at least 800, many of whom use the post office for photocopying and purchasing stationery as well as for keeping in contact with friends and family overseas and in different parts of the UK.

Cllr Lucy Watt, deputy leader of Islington Council, said: I can only urge the Post Office to look again at our evidence and spare Goswell Road post office for the sake of all those who rely on it.

Islington council is continuing to look at ways in which services could be provided for people in the areas affected by closures including outreach arrangements, some of which might be jointly supported by neighbouring boroughs.

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