Petition started over South Harrow Post Office closure

A PETITION has been started to 'Save the South Harrow Post Office' at the same time as the owner of the shop in which it was based says he had nothing to do with its closure.
The Post Office counter situated at the back of KP Retail in Northolt Road, South Harrow, shut without warning earlier this month when customers arrived to find posters from Post Office Ltd saying: "Due to circumstances beyond our control, the branch closed temporarily on 20 October 2009."
Huw Davies, a representative from the Communication Workers Union London North West branch, and local Labour councillor Graham Henson began collecting names on Sunday afternoon when it dawned the closure may be more permanent.
Mr Henson said: "We're not getting involved into the ins and outs but South Harrow shopping centre needs a Post Office and the longer it goes on without one, the longer it disadvantages people.
"It's going to have an impact not only the residents but business as well. People will rake their custom elsewhere - they're going to shop wherever the Post Office is.
"The Post Office says it's looking for another premises but that's not a quick thing: it has to find a premises, fit it out and open it and that can take months."
Last week, a Post Office spokesman said: "South Harrow Post Office was being run by a temporary sub-postmaster but unfortunately the premises were withdrawn for Post Office use so the office closed on October 20.
"We apologise to customers for any inconvenience this temporary closure may cause customers but there are posters up in the window giving details of alternative branches nearby.
"We are working very hard to find someone else to run the branch so we can
re-open as soon as possible, either in the existing premises or somewhere
close by."
But Kaushik Shah, who owns the premises, said: "It's not true that I actually refused permission for the Post Office to continue. Let me set out a few things.
"One, the Post Office had the right to use the post office area rent free up until November 6.
"Two, between the Post Office and the temporary sub-postmaster, either party could terminate their contract at seven days' notice.
"Three, the temporary sub-postmaster asked Post Office about their future plans so that he could arrange for appropriate staffing coming up to Christmas. The Post Office never responded."
It was following the resignation of the temporary sub-postmaster that the Post Office was closed suddenly when representative came in, collected the cash and stock, and left.
Mr Shah - who ran the post office branch himself up until about six months ago and was an employee of the most recent temporary sub-postmaster - confirmed the Post Office Ltd could still approach him to negotiate use of the post office area from November 6 onwards.
He revealed that an independent agent, which run franchisees on behalf of the Post Office, had approached him about operating the concession and he had replied, offering to talk. However, he has not heard back from the agent.
Mr Shah said: "I feel sad for the elderly customers."