Union campaign saves Kendal Crown Office

Postal March 26 2019

‘A great win – now we need to win some more,” was the enthusiastic response of CWU assistant secretary Andy Furey to this morning’s news that a Cumbrian Post Office has won a reprieve.

After a long and determined local campaign, led by the union’s North West region secretary Carl Webb and supported by the whole community, the Post Office has announced that proposals to close Kendal Crown Post Office and transfer its operations to failing retailer WH Smith have been cancelled.

In a letter explaining the change of mind, the Post Office cited in particular “issues for some of our customers regarding accessibility at this particular location, especially during busy periods” that had become evident from the feedback received during the statutory consultation process.

“For this reason we have decided that the branch will therefore continue to operate from its existing location for the time being,” the letter continued, confirming: “We have decided not to go ahead with the move of Kendal Post Office to the WHSmith store.”

In his reaction to the announcement, Andy Furey warmly welcomed the halt having been put on the relocation plan, noting that “the reason the Post Office cites here is absolutely right – these WH Smith stores do not and cannot possibly provide the level of access-equality that purpose-built and dedicated Crown offices can and do provide.

“The Post Office is right to put a halt on this proposal for this reason.

“But this particular concern is a concern that has been voiced loud and clear at every single similar consultation around the whole country – we need to stop all of the relocations and all of the privatisation plans.

“Kendal represents a welcome victory for campaigners – and well done to our local members and also to the good people of Kendal for their determined and active opposition.

“Let’s now redouble our efforts to win similar victories all across the UK – let’s end this driven decline and defend, protect, and rebuild our Crown Post Office Network.”