Kings Cross residents – joined by MP Emily Thornberry and local Labour councillors – are making a last-ditch attempt this week to persuade the council to step in and save the Post Office at 100 Caledonian Road from closure.
Caledonian Road Post Office is set to close this week – despite Islington Council being offered the chance to save the branch over a month ago. To protest at the council’s failure to step in, Barnsbury Councillor Mouna Hamitouche will hand in a petition at Full Council on Thursday 26 June signed by hundreds of Kings Cross residents.
On 19 May, Islington Labour Councillors presented a plan to the leader of the council which would allow this Post Office – and two others under threat – to remain open for less than £150,000 a year. The council could then use the branches to offer other council services as well – in arrangements similar to those being investigated by over 100 other councils.
Emily said:
“When I first met Post Office bosses earlier this year, I urged them not to close the Caledonian Road branches. But they are determined to press ahead, even though these branches are busy and well-used. In the interests of Islington residents, the council needs to stump up the funding to keep them open. I don’t think people who use the Post Office care whether the Government pays or the local council pays – it’s public money either way, and what the public want are Post Offices.”
Councillor Mouna Hamitouche added:
“The cost of keeping these 3 Post Offices open is the same as paying for 3 Lib Dem executive councillors – the highest-paid in the country. That’s the choice – save 3 of our Post Offices, or pay for 3 more Lib Dems. I think I know what local people would pick.”
