Campaigners are fighting against the closure of two Post Offices in Lewisham borough.

The Post Office propose to either close or downgrade the branches in Sydenham and New Cross Gate.

Councillors and residents took to the street at the weekend to drum up support for saving the crown post offices.

Sydenham councillor Liam Curran said: “The response was amazing.

“There is a growing sense of anger against the loss or deterioration of public services. I have on many occasions campaigned at the street stall in Sydenham for the past 30 years and can’t remember when so many people queued up to sign a petition so willingly”

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Cllr Alan Hall with Ian Ward and Mole Meade of Communication Workers Union and supporters.

Two petitions have been launched against the proposals by Lewisham Labour councillors.

One set up by Cllr Brenda Dacres has reached 732 supporters, and another started by Cllr Liam Curran has 87.

There are currently no final plans for the future of the branches, but when plans have been finalised there will be a six-week consultation.

Lewisham Council have opposed the closure or downgrading of Crown Post Offices.

Possible replacements could be franchising arrangements with the Post Office being run as a side-line to a shop as they have advertised for "suitable retail partners to provide services in the vicinity of the current directly managed (Crown) branches in Sydenham and New Cross Gate."

“We would be in for longer queues, poorer services and lower-paid staff” said Cllr Curran. “The Post Office is a state-owned company and can be run along more commercially successful lines like its contemporaries in Europe.”

Mole Meade of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said: “The residents in Sydenham came out in force to defend Sydenham Crown Post Office, from either being closed or downgraded”.

“Post Office Limited are completely out of step with, political opinion, both national and local, the people they employ. But most importantly their customers.”

A spokeswoman for Post Office Limited said: "The Post Office is committed to keeping our branches on high streets and at the heart of communities where they play an important role in local economies.

"To do so we must continue to respond to rapidly changing consumer trends, such as the increase in online shopping.

"The vast majority of Post Office branches, both large and small, are operated by retailers and this is a successful way of supporting both Post Offices and retail businesses. 

"The current directly managed branches in Sydenham and New Cross Gate are not sustainable into the future and, by working with retailers, viable Post Office services can be ensured for years to come.

"We’re planning for the same, wide range of services to be available and to ensure that they are accessible for all our customers, including elderly people and those with disabilities or mobility issues.

"Alongside changes to our network, the Post Office is continuing to develop our services to remain relevant for customers."