Concerns Raised Over Future of Main Chiswick Post Office

Speculation growing that Heathfield Terrace site may be marked for redevelopment

There is growing concern locally over the future of the main Post Office in Chiswick with the possibility being raised that the building in which the branch is located may be redeveloped.

Both Royal Mail and the Post Office are tenants in the building at 1 Heathfield Terrace and there is increased speculation that the landlord may be considering demolishing the current building. Although most famous for being put in 'Room 101' by Sheila Hancock, the loss of the post office would leave the area very short of mail services.

Post Office Ltd is responsible for accepting parcels and letters whereas Royal handles delivery and mail collection.

Recently, the Royal Mail has announced that it is planning to move its delivery and enquiry services from Chiswick to a depot in Bollo Lane in Acton. According to one local source the move was prompted when the owner requested them to vacate the upper floors which were used as part of the sorting and delivery office.The Post Office and the convenience store which currently operates at the site are not affected by this move.

When asked to confirm if they had been asked to leave, Royal Mail spokesperson Sally Hopkins said, “Royal Mail is exploring the option of relocating its delivery operations at Chiswick to our office in Acton and we have started to discuss this with the CWU and our people in both offices. This is part of Royal Mail’s ongoing transformation of its business to increase the efficiency of its operation as well as providing delivery offices which are fit for purpose for our people and for our customers.”

They confirmed that they had leased space in the building since 2006 and referred us to the Post Office Ltd. when we asked how long the lease was. When we asked Post Office Ltd about the future of their operations at the site and the length of the lease they said they wouldn’t comment on speculation but that they had no plans to move.

However, fears that the prime central Chiswick site may be redeveloped have been raised further in recent weeks with the purchase of Devonhurst Place for redevelopment into 60 flats. The mixed office and residential development is next door to the Chiswick Post Office and was bought for £10 million by Indigo Scott who say they are planning an 'exclusive gated community' at the site.

Last year nearly forty Crown post offices were closed and there has been a move by Post Office Ltd. to close down sub-post offices. An estimated 3,000 sub-post offices (one third of the overall network) are scheduled to close including the one in Grove Park.

The increase in electronic communications and huge drops in mail volumes has reduced the revenue of the traditional postal business. The post office network is losing an estimated £100 million a year on total sales of £1.2 billion.

November 26, 2017