| Topic: | Disappointment statement from the Post Office | |
| Posted by: | Maire Lowe | |
| Date/Time: | 26/06/22 13:33:00 |
| Acton Post Office ( 22 June 2022) Acton Post Office closed in 2018 due to local redevelopment plans. Over the past years, Post Office has visited the area and advertised for a new postmaster with premises, but no applications were received. Post Office is aware that since Acton Post Office closed, the majority of its customers have been using other nearby branches. There are three nearby Post Offices providing a full range of services within a mile of the centre of Acton - at Horn Lane, The Vale and Ealing Common. In addition, last year Post Office opened a new Drop & Collect branch at 271 Acton Lane. Drop & Collect provides customers with convenient return or collection of their online shopping as well as access to Payzone bill payment services. Post Office has been trialling this new service to respond to the increasing customer demand in the online prepaid parcels market and the response to date has been very positive. There are also plans to open Acton Banking Hub which will provide full banking services plus bill payments services at the counter. Post Office is contracted by UK Finance to operate the Banking Hub which will also provide customers with access to meet community bankers on selected days. It is important to note, as UK Finance have previously explained, Banking Hubs and Post Offices are separate propositions. However, some Post Office services will be available at the Banking Hub counter and we anticipate that customers in Acton will use the Hub for paying bills and accessing cash and banking services. Post Office is pleased to be introducing further access to Post Office services in Acton, to complement the existing Post Offices in the area. In the current, challenging economic climate, Post Office must ensure that its funding from Government prioritises sustainable services in locations where there is unmet need. Therefore, Post Office has no immediate plans to replace the Acton Post Office that closed in 2018. Post Office will continue to monitor customer demand in Acton, including the usage of the Drop & Collect branch on Acton Lane, plus the banking and bill payment services that will be provided by the Banking Hub later this year. Should there be changes that lead to new, unmet demand, Post Office will review provision and adjust its plans as required. |