Post office threatened with closure granted last minute safety

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A post office threatened with closure has been granted a last minute reprieve.

The George Lane post office in South Woodford has been threatened with closure since 2017, but thanks to the efforts of customers, unions and politicians, the Post Office has confirmed the Post Office’s future for now.

In 2017, the Post Office proposed the closure of their George Lane post office, which would have left South Woodford without a large post office and its range of services.

In November 2017, residents started a campaign to save the branch and sought the help of politicians; including Iain Duncan Smith, MP for Chingford and Woodford Green.


Almost 2,000 people signed a petition to protect the post office and Mr Duncan Smith organising a debate on the matter in Parliament, negotiating with Post Office managers to keep the branch open.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of customers, the Post Office Workers Union, Cllr Michael Duffell and Cllr Suzanne Nolan of the South Woodford Conservatives and Mr Duncan Smith, the Post Office has today announced that the post office will remain open at its current location.

The decision may be up for review in the future but for now South Woodford’s Post Office is safe.

Iain Duncan Smith said: “I am very pleased with the Post Office’s decision to keep the branch open in George Lane. This was very important issue for many of my constituents and I was keen to support the campaign, both locally and in Westminster.

“I would like to thank both the Post Office Workers Union and all thel people who united around maintaining this important asset in South Woodford. A Post Office is an integral and essential part of the community, so I am delighted that the organisation has listened to all those who felt strongly about this issue and worked hard to secure this positive outcome. Now, let’s make this permanent.”

Cllr Duffell and Cllr Nolan issued a joint statement.

They said: “We have worked with residents, Iain Duncan Smith, Union Reps and the staff of the post office in George Lane to ensure that we do not lose this valued local resource.


“Our petition reached nearly 1,050 electronic signatures and over 300 paper signatures. We are delighted that Post Office management have listened to all stakeholders.

“Although the Post Office is still seeking new retail partners, management commit to full engagement or undergoing a full consultation if any changes are to occur in the future. We will hold them to this promise.

“This demonstrates what happens when the community works together to ensure that we have a vibrant and well used high street. It is a shame that the Malborough Road Sorting Office couldn’t be saved, however this news today gives George Lane a boost. This is a great win for the people of South Woodford.”