Post Office kills off plans for counters at churches

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Wandsworth council wants to establish Post Office services at St Mary's Church in Balham and St Mary's Church in Putney, after residents complained that a string of closures had left them travelling long distances to find a branch.

But bosses at Post Office Limited refused permission for the scheme, arguing that it would have an "adverse effect" on surviving branches nearby.

Wandsworth deputy leader Maurice Hester said: "These church counters would have been an ideal solution, and would not have cost POL anything.

"But because some customers may have gone there rather than to one of the few remaining official branches the Post Office said no. We are doing all we can to maintain services, but POL do not seem willing to meet us half way."

A total of 22 post offices have been lost in Wandsworth over the past five years - half the borough's network.

Branches in Balham High Road and Putney Bridge Road were shut in the latest closures and the Post Office has also ruled out rescue plans for a sub-post office in Battersea Park Road.

A Post Office spokesman said: "The Post Office is having good and constructive discussions with a number of local councils about the future funding of post office branches."

But he added: "We also have to consider potential effects on other post offices in the area as we cannot endanger those businesses."