Cable backs post office closure

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Cable backs post office closure - Business secretary dismisses petitioners’ case for keeping Lupus Street open

http://www.westendextra.com/news/2013/s ... se-keeping" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

THE battle to save a post office in Pimlico suffered a setback this week as Vince Cable dismissed residents’ pleas for help.

A 700-strong petition was presented to the House of Commons by Cities of London and Westminster MP Mark Field in July urging the government to intervene and prevent Post Office bosses shutting down the Lupus Street branch.

But a response from the business secretary was received this week in which he said the government had no influence on which branches are shut down.

He also backed the process of closing Crown branches, like Lupus Street, which are directly run by the Post Office.

He said: “The government note that the 373 branches of the Crown network have incurred heavy and historic losses, totalling £37million in 2012-13.

“No business, including the Post Office, can continue with a situation where some of its high street branches cost substantially more to run than they generate in revenues.” He added: “In the case of the Lupus Street Crown branch, it costs £1.84 to generate every £1 of income.”

He further showed his support for its closure by highlighting the Post Office plans, which calls the changes a “merger”.

He said: “The government note that in the case of Lupus Street, Post Office Ltd is proposing to merge operations with the nearest alternative Crown branches at Vauxhall Bridge Road and Eccleston Street, which are within half a mile, and a mile of Lupus Street branch respectively.”

However, residents of nearby Churchill Gardens have repeatedly questioned this logic and said it is too far for many to travel, especially the elderly or mothers with young children in tow.

Sue Walsh, who is chair of the Churchill Gardens residents’ association, said: “Let Vince Cable come down here and walk down there in the rain with two kids in the buggy or an elderly relative and let him stand outside in the queue. People already queue out into the street, so, if they’ve got the extra footfall from Lupus Street then it’s going to be even worse. It’s too far for the elderly to walk to and there’s no disabled access. In Lupus Street everybody is familiar with each other so there’s an element of safety, but when you’re in Vauxhall Bridge Road, nobody knows anybody and that can make some of the elderly people fearful about picking up money.”

The branch was visited earlier this year by Mr Field and former home secretary and ex-postman Alan Johnson, both adding their support to the campaign.

This week Mr Field said: “I find it quite extraordinary the Post Office appear incapable of running their Lupus Street branch so it at least breaks even given its ideal location.

“The proposed closure is completely unacceptable and the matter is now not likely to be put out to public consultation until the summer of 2014 at the earliest.”

[UnhappyGremlin]

Vince Cable is making himself about as popular as a paedo in a nursery.

[NWpostie]

Vince Cable is a Lib Dem = not in the real world

[Chelseablue]

Just a senile old man

[Lounge Lizard]

Vince said: “The government note that the 373 branches of the Crown network have incurred heavy and historic losses, totalling £37million in 2012-13" - so why doesn't he start a bit closer to home with the House of Commons Post Office and the House of Lords Post Office, and only then look at some of the other 371 Crown Offices ?