High Barnet is likely to lose its crown post office. It is one of 115 branches on a list for possible closure which has been announced by the Post Office's new chairman Nigel Railton as part of what he says will have to be a radical shake-up of the business.
The loss of the post office would be another serious blow to Barnet High Street which has struggled in recent years to attract new shops and retail businesses.
Immediately after the announcement there was shock and disbelief among customers arriving at the post office to mail letters or use counter services such as Post Office banking.
Dan Tomlinson, MP for Chipping Barnet, said he was contacting the Post Office urgently for more information.
“Post offices are key to our local community. I will continue to campaign for the protection of these vital services.”
He has urged his constituents to sign a petition which has been launched in collaboration with High Barnet Labour councillors Emma Whysall and Paul Edwards.
In recent years the Post Office has stocked a wide range of stationery and other business supplies to boost trade.
Closure would mean the loss of nine jobs. Staff said they had been fearing the worst and were waiting to hear more details from their branch representative for the Communication Workers Union.
Hampstead and Golders Green post offices are also on the list facing the axe.
If the High Barnet closure goes ahead – and the franchise is not taken over by another High Street retailer – among other post offices nearby are those in Regents Park Road, Finchley; Mill Hill Broadway; Holders Hill Road; Darkes Lane, Potters Bar; and Shenley Road, Borehamwood.
Barnet Post Office – which was rebuilt in 1905 – has a distinguished history having been a regular stopping off point for mail coaches heading out of London for Scotland and the north.
In more recent years it has regained importance following the closure of several High Street banks and the development of the Post Office’s banking services.
Customer Alex was shocked by the news because he relied on the Post Office counter service following the closure of the Halifax building society.
“Now that we have lost the Halifax, I do my banking at the Post Office.
“If it closes, this will cause me real difficulties and the same goes for a lot of regular customers.”
Pensioner John McGonigal was very disappointed with the announcement. He thought it would be a real blow for pensioners.
Mary agreed that losing the Post Office would be a pain in the neck.
“Pensioners rely on its services because we cannot do everything online like the youngsters.
“We just can’t keep up to date with all the technology so it will be the elderly who will be penalised yet again.”
Richard Bridges, just heading inside to get stamps for some letters, hoped the decision could be reconsidered because a post office in the High Street provided “a vital service”.
The current building, which bears the ER motif of King Edward VII, was designed by Jasper Wagner.
Set in the wall, just above the pavement, between the front door and the letter box, is one of the original boundary stones of the ancient parish of Chipping Barnet.
Until the 1930s Barnet was one of the best-known coaching towns on the outskirts of London.
When the mail coach for Scotland left St Martins-le-Grand one of the first stops on the Great North Road was Barnet post office where it picked up mail
