Public fights back over post office closures (From Enfield Independent)

Public fights back over post office closures

3:09pm Monday 19th May 2008 in News By Gemma Parry

THE sound of beeping car horns were audible up and down Chase Side on Monday as Enfield residents turned out in force to protest against the closure of Chase Side Post Office, garnering support from passing motorists.

The post office is just one of six local facilities the Government has voted to close, despite widespread opposition expressed through a public consultation.

Nick de Bois, who will stand against Labour's Enfield North MP Joan Ryan at the next general election, said on Monday: "It just shows that this consultation is a sham. We've had over a hundred people here since quarter to nine.

"It goes far beyond just selling stamps and offering conventional post offices services. People are telling me stories how the come into this post office and if they're not seen for a week the postmistress sends someone round to check they're OK."

He continued: "What you are seeing here is people fighting back."

Gloria Lawrence, sub-post mistress who was "astounded by the support", shown during the protest, added: "You see the adverts on TV, The People's Post Office and then they ignore the people."

The remaining post offices will prove inaccessible for many of Chase Side's customers, according to protest organiser Maureen George.

She said: "Lancaster Road is heavily congested at the best of times and in Enfield Town there are no parking facilities outside.

"we need the Government's support in this. If they take away these sub-post offices what are these elderly people going to do?"

Pub The Six Bells and cafe La Caverna showed support by offering free refreshments for the protesters.

Although she did not attend the protest, Joan Ryan said: "The one thing that I am certain of is that our Chase Side Post office should stay open."

However, she also showed support for the Government stance on post offices, saying "Nationally the Post Office costs us taxpayers £500,000 each and every day to keep the business going."

Despite the strength of felling, Gloria Lawrence was bleak about the future of Chase Side: She said: "I think it's too late for the London offices, I don't think it'll change anything for the 155 offices they've decided to close but it might help some of the offices that are a bit further out and perhaps they will listen to the people."