I met with Haringey Council’s Leader Cllr Peray Ahmet and Chief Executive last week and am pleased that good progress is being made on bringing a Post Office back to Wood Green.  However it’s really important that this happens as soon as possible, as its loss is having a real impact on local residents who rely on these basic services.

That’s why I’ve written to the Post Office Chief Executive to urge them to confirm a summer opening date.  Read my letter in full here:

11 March 2023

I’m disappointed that our busy Wood Green Post Office has now closed.

This is a blow to the high street, residents and local businesses who rely on Post Office services in this busy branch.  Residents will know it’s exactly the situation I feared when I opposed the closure of Wood Green’s Crown Post Office back in 2018.

Since the announcement, a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes with Haringey Council, the Post Office and other partners.  I immediately sought, and received assurances that a new local site would be found and I understand that there have been a number of applicants to run the new Post Office and that these applications are being progressed.  I have repeatedly emphasised to the Post Office the importance of these services and the need to get the new branch up and running as soon as possible. 

Despite these efforts, I remain extremely disappointed that there will now be a period without a post office service in Wood Green.  Lots of people in Wood Green rely on the Post Office to collect pensions and access cash, and even a temporary loss of this vital service will be a blow.  I wrote to WHSmith earlier this year to urge them to delay the closure until the new branch is open.  Sadly, whilst they told me they would do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition, they said that they have entered into a legal agreement with the landlord to close the store in March.  At the latest meeting with the Post Office and Haringey Council in late March, they provided further assurances that the process for selecting a new site, a new postmaster, and opening a new post office is well underway.

The Post Office have information here for those affected.

Hornsey Post Office and Turnpike Lane Post Office are alternative branches that the community can use. To get a full list of the services all local Post Offices offer, please visit http://postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder

You can read the statement from Haringey Council’s Leader Cllr Peray Ahmet here, confirming the Council is working hard to ensure there is a continuous Post Office service in Wood Green and a new Post Office is established as soon as possible.  They have my full support and I remain in close contact with the Council and have offered any support I can.

I have repeatedly raised my concerns in Parliament about access to cash and the impact on residents and our high streets of Post Office and bank closures.  On Tuesday 31 January I presented our petition signed by over 1,060 people calling on the Post Office to save this vital branch.  Watch my presentation here:

I raised my concerns with the Leader of the House on 19 January and you can watch  my question here: