The campaign to keep Clapham’s Post Office in its dedicated building has gathered further momentum, as local cllr Jon Abbott (Lib Dem, Clapham and Oakley) hand-delivered a petition to Post Office headquarters in London on Wednesday (4 June).
The petition, signed by nearly 300 residents, urges Post Office Limited to reconsider its proposal to relocate the service from its long-standing premises to a smaller unit inside a shop on Clapham High Street.
The current site has operated as a Post Office for over 100 years and is widely regarded as a vital and accessible resource for the village. The proposed move would see the service housed inside a convenience store opposite the current building.
Critics argue that there has been a lack of meaningful engagement with the community and that alternatives, such as Nish Parekh’s offer to take over the current site, have not been fully explored.
Concerns raised by locals include:
- Lack of disabled access and parking at the proposed location
- Reduced space and privacy for sensitive transactions
- Difficulty for wheelchair users and parents with prams
- Risk of diminished service quality due to the cramped conditions
Cllr Abbott said he felt it was important to personally deliver the petition to ensure residents’ voices were heard. “This issue has generated an unprecedented level of concern within the community,” he said.
“In my six years as a borough councillor, no other single issue has prompted such a significant and unified response from my constituents. There is overwhelming local opposition and a viable alternative presented by the current owners.
“Post Office Limited have a choice; I urge them to reconsider their proposal.”
The consultation on the proposed move closes on 6 June. Bedford Borough Mayor Tom Wootton (Conservative) and Clapham Parish Council Chair Phillipa Simms, have also voiced strong opposition.
The Mayor recently met with the current postmaster, Mr Parekh, and supported concerns about the impact of relocation.
Read: Clapham campaign grows to keep Post Office in dedicated building
“Clapham is a large village, with further development on the way and currently has a wonderful, dedicated building where it has provided a Post Office for over 100 years,” said the Mayor. “The proposed move is simply not suitable for a community of this size.”
You can read more about the proposals at the Post Office website and respond to the consultation by emailing: comments@postoffice.co.uk.
