New chapter in post service

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New chapter in post service

A new post office counter is to open in a library, saving residents the headache of travelling out of the borough.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council has struck a landmark deal with Royal Mail to open a new post office enquiry
counter at Askew Road Library in Askew Road, Shepherd's Bush, later this year.

The agreement was made after Royal Mail's decision to close the Silver Road enquiry office, in Shepherd's Bush,
which would have forced thousands of residents to travel to Park Royal in Brent to collect their missed deliveries.

Cllr Paul Bristow, member for residents' sevices, said: "This is fantastic news for all concerned. Askew Road Library
is a perfect location for the enquiry office and is far more accessible for most residents than Silver Road. Askew
Road Library is already hugely popular with residents and this news will mean that it will continue to go from strength
to strength over the coming years."

The library is also set to benefit from £87,000 of funding from Royal Mail towards refurbishment, with new flooring
and counters. It will close for renovation from February 22 to March 9. The enquiry counter will open on March 15.

Annabel Clarke of the Cathnor Park Area Action Group said: "This is fantastically positive news. It is a wonderful
boost for the library and will revitalise an important community space."

Andrew Gill, Royal Mail Project Manager, added: "Royal Mail is delighted that we have been able to work with the
council to secure the future of a local callers office for the residents of Hammersmith."

The council is chalking this up as its latest success in saving postal services in the borough, after preventing Post
Offices from shutting in Starch Green, Kenyon Street and Shepherd's Bush Road, in May 2008, and the reopening of
the W14 post office in April 2009.

By SOFIA MITRA-THAKUR
Thursday 21 January 2010
Willesden & Brent Times
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