Help save Beckenham Post Office

'Crown' Post Office threatened with closure

Businesses and residents in Beckenham are being urged to help News Shopper: Beckenham Post OfficeBeckenham Post Office save Beckenham Crown Post Office on Rectory Road by signing this petition.

Beckenham Post Office is facing closure as part of The Post Office Ltd's plans to cut 42 branches across the country in 2016. While nearby franchises will be offered, these would provide inferior services, often in a smaller space with fewer counters, and closure would have a huge impact for both residents and businesses, significantly affecting footfall to the High Street.

Beckenham Business Association (BBA), together with the local residents' associations, is supporting the Post Office Workers Union (CWU) in the Save Beckenham Crown Post Office Campaign because:

As a 'Crown' Post Office, Beckenham can currently offer more services than franchises - such as driving licence, passport and Home Office services.

Once franchised out Post Office Ltd have limited control. If the franchise sells up in a few years, Beckenham could be left without a Post Office.

It's a busy Post Office with people travelling from further afield to use it (the Crown Post Offices in West Wickham and Bromley have already been closed).

There is mounting evidence that closure of a Crown Post Office has a severe negative impact on the local economy.  Local footfall and retail trade in a town centre nosedives once a Crown Post Office is closed as so many people are drawn into a town to use a fully functioning Crown Post Office.

TfL and Bromley Council are spending £4.7 million to boost Beckenham Town Centre. There may be little gain if footfall significantly decreases due to the closure of the Crown Post Office.

Taking action

On Saturday 2 April 2016, the Chairs of Beckenham Business Association, Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association, Beckenham Town Centre Team and West Beckenham Residents’ Association, together with other local supporters, turned out to help the CWU distribute leaflets and get signatures to the petition to save the Post Office.

The CWU and supporters collecting signatures outside Beckenham Post Office

Commenting on the planned closure, local CWU Rep, Mole Meade, said: "This is one more example of a bad business plan from both the Post Office Ltd and the Government."

CWU National Executive Member, Ian Ward, who was also collecting signatures, added: "Beckenham is such a well-used Post Office, with six dedicated staff. Why does that need to change, when the alternative would be a far inferior service that will have an immediate negative impact on both local residents and businesses?"

Further action is planned for Saturday 16 April - details to follow.

How you can help - sign the petition!

Please support the Save Beckenham Crown Post Office Campaign by signing the petition available in the Post Office itself or online via this link.

Please also help by spreading the word and encouraging others to sign the petition.

Beckenham Business Association