Raynes Park Post Office is saved!
We’re delighted to share the fantastic news, announced today, that Raynes Park Post Office is here to stay!
As your local Liberal Democrat team, we’ve been working tirelessly to save this vital service and ensure it remains at the heart of our community. When we learned of Post Office Ltd.’s plans to offload 115 directly-owned “Crown” branches, including Raynes Park, we launched a petition, engaged with the Post Office directly, and secured support from our Lib Dem MP, Paul Kohler.
Today, we’re thrilled to let you know that the Post Office has confirmed Raynes Park branch will remain open and continue to provide the same essential services. It will soon be operated by independent franchise partner Universal Office Equipment (UK) Ltd (UOE), led by experienced postmaster Elliot Jacobs. UOE will run the branch from its current premises and will even extend opening hours on Tuesday mornings.
The transition to the new operator is expected to be completed by September 2025. The Post Office has said this new partnership will create a long-term, sustainable future for post offices across the UK, including here in Raynes Park.
This is a huge win for our community, and it wouldn’t have been possible without your support.
Thank you to everyone who signed the petition and helped us send a clear message that Raynes Park Post Office is essential and must stay open!
Further details from Post Office Ltd. can be found here and here.
Post Office Franchising Plans Announced
Since launching the petition to save Raynes Park Post Office, we have been in contact with the Post Office about the future of our local branch. And in March our local MP Paul Kohler wrote to the Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports.
The Post Office has now announced its intention to franchise its remaining directly owned branches, including Raynes Park Post Office, because they currently make a loss of about £40 million a year.
By moving to a 'fully franchised network', the Post Office believes it will be able to retain services in the same location, or near to existing branches.
This is broadly good news, however, the Post Office says this is all subject to Government funding.
So what happens next?
The Post Office has told us it is now reviewing appropriate options for each branch with the aim of securing franchises by the autumn.
They've stated that their key aims for each site are:
Offering a range of services: having at least one main branch within a 1-mile radius of the existing branch to make sure customers still have access to a full range of services e.g. cash withdrawals, key government services such as passport applications.
Accessible opening hours: protecting accessibility by securing the right locations for customers to reflect local footfall and demand. They may open more than one new branch in some locations to improve coverage.
Long-term sustainability: securing the long-term future of the services through a rigorous selection process of franchise partners and Government funding
Quality of services: selecting franchise partners based on experience of running Post Office services or similar, and offering bespoke training.
Continuity of service: if a directly managed branch has to close, making sure its replacement is open before it ceases trading.
Thank you once again for your support for this campaign, which has helped to secure a future for Post Office services locally.
We will continue to put pressure on the Post Office and the Government to deliver the best outcome for Raynes Park.
Raynes Park Post Office at risk of closure
Raynes Park Post Office is at risk of closure due to plans by Post Office Ltd. to offload 115 directly-owned "Crown" branches, including this vital location at the heart of our local community.
Raynes Park Post Office serves thousands of residents, businesses, and visitors, providing essential services that are integral to our community. Its closure would create significant inconvenience and disruption, particularly for the elderly, individuals with mobility challenges, and small businesses who rely on it daily.
Your local Liberal Democrats are calling on the Post Office to ensure it works to maintain essential Post Office services somewhere in Raynes Park.
Save our post office services in Raynes Park
We, the undersigned, support the campaign to keep post office services open in Raynes Park. Our post office is essential to our community, serving residents, businesses, and visitors alike. We urge decision-makers to protect this vital service for everyone’s benefit.