CUSTOMERS of the Sub-Post Office in Alexandra Avenue, South Harrow, have been given only three weeks to try to prevent its closure.

The office, which has been running for 27 years at Jay's Food Store, is likely to shut in March in a move that Post Office Ltd said was designed to secure the future of other branches in the area.

Maura Gildea of Eastcote Lane, a regular customer of the threatened office, said: "I go up there to collect my child allowance. If it closes, I will have to walk to South Harrow or Rayners Lane. It will be a great inconvenience."

Post Office Ltd announced last year that it wanted to "restructure and modernise" its national network of more than 9,000 urban branches, claiming that in many cities and towns there were too many competing for too little business, increasing running costs. Plans to pay pensions and other benefits into recipients' bank accounts would mean fewer people using Post Offices regularly.

Following a consultation, in which sub-postmasters were asked to indicate their wishes for the future, the company agreed with the sub-postmaster in Alexandra Avenue that his branch should close. The same fate awaits the branch in Dorchester Road, Northolt.

George Hooper, area head of Post Office Ltd, said: "We have a responsibility to ensure that customers in Harrow and Northolt will continue to have reasonable access to local Post Office products and services.

"Even after changes are made, well over 95 per cent of customers will still live within a mile of a branch."

Closing those two offices would improve the long-term prospects of the other Post Offices in the area, he said. In particular, the South Harrow branch in Northolt Road and the Rayners Lane branch in Alexandra Avenue would be fully geared up to cope with extra customers.

Before a final decision is made, Mr Hooper wants to hear of customers concerns. A leaflet explaining the changes and giving directions to alternativebranches is available from Jay's store.

Anyone with views should write to: National Consultation Team, PO Box 641, St Albans, Herts, AL1 5XN, by February, 10. There is also a fax number, 01727 814 435, and a customer helpline, 08457 22 33 44.

January 15, 2003 16:00