Wimbledon post office hopes dashed (From Your Local Guardian)

Wimbledon Village post office hopes dashed

7:10am Friday 30th January 2009 in Top Stories By Ben Thompson

The campaign to reopen Wimbledon Village’s post office appears over as talks between local MP Stephen Hammond, Merton Council and the Post Office Ltd ended last week in stalemate.

Defiant residents mobilised one of the country’s most protracted battles to save a local post office after a national cull of branches in July last year resulted in 3,500 closures.

Two separate protests outside the former office attracted more than 200 residents,and a 6,000 signature petition was drawn up. But a deal between Merton Council and Post Office Ltd to subsidise the branch’s reopening has been ruled out despite intense lobbying.

Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond said: “I’ve extensively gone through all the arguments, from the high local demand to the fact that it was still profitable, but their line is that they have been forced to shut it.

“The Government talks about local people having access to local services but this is a place where this just hasn’t happened.

“Like many other people I’m incredibly disappointed but also frustrated - there is an overwhelming local demand for the post office in Wimbledon Village.”

Mano Sounderajah, former sub-postmaster and owner of Wimbledon Village News, said: “This is just terrible.

“If it is the case that the prospect of the post office opening is over, I’m in a position where I don’t know how I’m going to pay my rent and rates.

“I hope I won’t have to shut my business but there could well be no other option.”

Wimbledon actress June Whitfield, who joined the nine-month campaign, said: “I think it’s absolutely essential to have a post office here. It’s been making enough money, so why has it closed? Who makes these decisions?

“Losing the post office has had a huge effect on the community. It’s as appalling as it is unnecessary.”