I was glad to be able to speak at the public meeting organised by the Communication Workers Union in East Finchley Library to discuss the future of East Finchley Post Office. It was an interesting discussion, with the gentleman from the Post Office saying that the re-franchising did not mean losing the post office, merely a different deliverer. I asked peopek to bear in mind that these are exactly the same promises that were made to residents in Finchley Central, when they were told they would get longer opening hours and better services. In the end they got nothing.
There were also concerns expressed about the TUPE change in employment conditions for the existing staff. I also raised the fact that the post office in its current location was vital for the economic health of the town centre, and that it attracted visitors, who shop locally too. It would lead to fewer local services, and potentially do damage to local business, losing the shop front. It was argued that the branch loses £1.60 for every £1 it makes, but I pointed out that it was a large space that seemed almost entirely unused, and that they could make creative solutions to reduce their losses. I also questioned whether the Government saw them as a community asset and service,rather than just a business.
