Closure of Holloway Post Office ‘dark day’ – town hall
Pensioners and Holloway Post Office staff demonstrate to save the branch Pic: Isabel Infantes - Credit: Archant
The decision to close a Crown post office and move its services into a coffee shop have been slammed as a “dark day” by the town hall.
From September 25, Holloway Post Office, in Holloway Road, will close following a long consultation – despite fierce opposition from community groups
Most of its services will relocate to a convenience store, run by M Harsini Ltd, 400 metres up the road, which will also sell stationery, gifts and cards and hot coffee.
Post Office chiefs say the new service will be open Sundays and have easy access and low-level counters, but council top brass say they are ignoring the needs of the people.
Cllr Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council, said: “This is a dark day for all the people and businesses who rely on the branch, particularly many older and less mobile residents.
“We’ve made it clear to the Post Office that Islington Council opposes this closure, but the views of our community have been ignored.
“Coming so soon after the closure of Highbury Corner post office – which also had strong local opposition - it’s clear Post Office chiefs care nothing for the views of the people of Islington, or the quality of service they provide.”
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The new shop at 116 to 120 Seven Sisters Road, Holloway, will have seven serving positions, but may not have a cash point or sell National Lottery tickets.
Identification services for the Home Office will be moved to the Finsbury Park branch.
Roger Gale, Crown Network general manager, said: “We are committed to keeping a Post Office branch in Holloway and to maintaining the same levels of service for our customers.
“We believe the best way for us to do this is to change the way we operate the branch, so following the move it will be run by M Harsini Ltd rather than by us directly.”
The new service will open 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday.
