Chiswick (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Andy Slaughter MP labels the Post Office “utterly unaccountable” during remarks in Chiswick, amid growing scrutiny over its handling of recent scandals.
Hammersmith and Chiswick MP Andy Slaughter told The Chiswick Calendar that the Post Office is “completely unaccountable.”
“I don’t like the way they disrespect their customers.”
Last week, he and Cllr Shantanu Rajawat, the Leader of Hounslow Council, jointly wrote to the Post Office to express their “deep concern” about the effects the closing of Chiswick Post Office is having on locals and to request an urgent meeting. On Wednesday, he will now meet with Post Office managers.
For the past month, the Post Office has been closed, and there has been no indication of when or when it will reopen.
Additionally, our local council members have been requesting meetings and information from the Post Office.
[There has been] “no warning, no meeting, no respect” , said Cllr Peter Thompson, Leader of the Conservative Group on Hounslow Council, who represents Chiswick Riverside ward.
“This isn’t just about inconvenience,”
he said.
“It’s about trust, transparency, and basic respect for a community that depends on these services. Shutting down a branch without warning, refusing to explain why, and then taking nearly four weeks to notify us is totally unacceptable.”
After the event, a notice on the door announced that the Post Office at 1 Heathfield Terrace would be closed “until further notice.” This week, our elected representatives finally received a letter from the Post Office apologizing for the “late notification” of closure.
The closure’s rationale remained purposefully ambiguous. According to the letter:
‘We are writing to inform you that, regrettably due to operational reasons, the above branch closed on Friday 02 May 2025. Please accept my apologies for the late notification on this occasion.
I would like to assure you that we are working hard to keep any period of closure to a minimum and we are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community.
In exploring this, it is important that any future service is sustainable for the person operating the service, and for Post Office Limited.
We apologise for the inconvenience the closure may cause.’
Andy Slaughter finds it unsettling that a Post Office representative informed The Chiswick Calendar that the branch is temporarily closed.
“I wish that filled me with confidence, but it’s the way they slide into permanent closure. If it were genuinely closed temporarily they would be able to say why it is closed”,
he told The Chiswick Calendar.
He said that in Hammersmith & Fulham there are five Post Offices which are closed ‘temporarily’. One of them has been closed ‘temporarily’ for five years”.
The Post Office told us:
‘This is not a permanent closure. We are working very hard to restore service as soon as possible.’
In a “communication” posted on its website, the Post Office reiterated the points made in the letter to local legislators and provided a list of the closest locations that offer comparable services.
It adds an important note at the bottom:
‘Where the closure is unplanned, the service provision in the area will be reviewed based on current usage, modelling and availability of any suitable replacement or alternative service model.
A commercial decision will be made if we actively seek to replace the closed service and will not be subject to public consultation.’
The following is a list of the closest service providers; however, keep in mind that not all of them provide the same services:
King Street Post Office Services
168 King Street
Hammersmith
London W6 0QU
Offers the same services.
Opening times
Monday – Thursday 09.00 – 17.00
Friday 09.00 – 13.15 / 14.20 – 17.00
Saturday 09.00 – 12.00
Sunday closed
At the property’s entrance, access is level. There is time-restricted parking close by.
Starch Green Post Office Services
7 Kings Parade
Askew Road
Starch Green
London W12 9BA
Provides comparable services, with the exception of a full variety of travel money, vehicle tax, passport check and send, and on-demand travel insurance.
Opening times
Monday – Friday 07.00 – 19.00
Saturday 07.00 – 18.00
Sunday 10.00 – 17.00
Access is level at the entrance to the premises. Pay & Display parking is available nearby.
The Vale Post Office Services
125-127 The Vale
Acton
London
W3 7RQ
Offers similar services, however excluding Passport Check & Send.
Opening times
Monday – Saturday 08.00 – 22.00
Sunday closed
Access is level at the entrance to the premises. Time restricted parking is available nearby.
How has the decline of local post offices affected community life in Slaughter’s constituency?
Residents are forced to travel farther for postal and financial services when local post offices are closed or cause extended disruptions, especially for the elderly, disabled, and those without private transportation. Since many people depend on local branches for government services, pensions, and bill payments, this causes inconvenience and may result in social isolation.
Local post offices are frequently essential community centers, particularly for those who are more vulnerable and may not have access to the internet or mobility. Their decrease exacerbates feelings of alienation and loneliness by reducing opportunities for social support and contact.
Residents must modify their routines to suit shortened service hours or drive to alternate locations, which may be less accessible or convenient, and businesses that rely on postal services must deal with operational issues.