Queens Road Post Office Update

I blogged a couple of weeks ago about my most recent letter to Post Office Ltd about the closure of the Queens Road Post Office in October 2008. (See here).

As a consequense of my letter, this morning I met with somebody from the Post Office to talk about the situation. Key points from that meeting, in summary:

• The branch closure is still classified as 'temporary' - i.e. the branch still exists, but only on paper for now.
• The option of installing a temporary branch in a temporary building was impossible because the only suitable site was too 'slopey'
• Post Office Ltd don't purchase new premises, so if they are to open a replacement branch, it has to be in partnership with an existing property owner (probably/preferably a business, but could be a public building or similar)
• The political situation was difficult until May 2010 because the Labour government were not willing to finance the (re-)opening of branches. The uncertainty over the future of the Post Office network (because of the national political situation) meant that the Post Office were uncertain about the future of the Queens Road branch.
• This uncertainty is fast fading away as it becomes apparent that the coalition government is committed to supporting the Post Office network
• This in turn means that new national chains (e.g. Sainsbury's) who to date have been unwilling to be retail partners for Post Office branches are warming up to the idea
• In light of the above, PO Ltd are going to have another look for a new retail partner in the Queens Road area, and will get back to me with some ideas.