Residents are feeling the effects of not having a post office nearby, following the Blackfriars Post Office closure last month, including an elderly man with a metal knee who used it ‘nearly every day.’
Blackfriars Road Post Office closed two weeks ago after their retail partner – ZCO Ltd – resigned and residents are already feeling the loss.
Cliff Hogg, 79, said he has lived opposite where the post office was for fifteen years and he is gutted.
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“I feel terrible,” he said.
“I used it almost every day to do all my banking and any jobs. I don’t know where I’m going to go now.”
He said it was very convenient as it was only across the road, and he struggles to walk after having a knee replacement.
“I have a new metal knee so I have difficulty walking.”
He added that lots of people were upset: “It was always so busy – everyone used it.”
The sign on the door reads ‘closed permanently’ which appears to be fuelling locals’ frustration.
But the Post Office maintains that the closure is temporary whilst they find a new operator.
“Blackfriars Road Post Office has been temporarily closed since 31 January due to the resignation of the Postmaster,” a Post Office spokesperson said.
“We know how important a Post Office is to a community. We are working hard to try to restore Post Office services as soon as possible. We have an interested retailer. Talks are at an early stage. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. In the interim alternative branches include Cornwall Road and Southwark, both of which are within 800 metres of Blackfriars Road Post Office.”
What doesn’t seem to be helping the situation is the repeated response from banks following branch closures for residents to “use the post office” for their banking needs. With their local one closed, many are now at a loose end as to where to complete crucial tasks like collecting their pension.
Chris Wilson, CEO of Southwark Charities, said: “The closure of the post office on Blackfriars Road is highly regrettable.
“Many of our residents use it to collect their pensions, and the charity uses it regularly. The removal of these essential services, combined with the accelerated closure of bank branches in the borough, might be manageable if you are digitally connected, but for many older people who are not, this just makes things harder.”