Lordship Lane Post Office Closure

[Sue]

3 hours ago, Jenijenjen said:

Letter from Ellie Reeves and Goose Green and Dulwich Hill councillors regarding LL Post Office closure 

https://bsky.app/profile/elliereeves.bsky.social/post/3lbtwqear5c27

Link to Blue Sky post - hoping it works

That's a good well  considered letter 👍

[jazzer]

Yep, lots of "we fully appreciate, while we appreciate, we also understand and we understand", no bark and no bite, she's rolled over like a puppy. We stand no chance with someone who manages to say something that actually says nothing. 

[Penguin68]

It's a shot across their bows. No reason not to be polite about it. By acknowledging some realities it stops them trotting them out as if they're an answer. Despite the fact that they're not the old PO questions and letters from MPs is not what they want. 

[sebastiondangerfield]

Yes, classic bubble from a wannabe Westminster MP.

[CPR Dave]

It's really not a very good letter.

 

It doesn't say anything at all about the services they provide that people actually pay for in droves that commercially justify keeping it open.

 

It might as well have said " you're only useful for providing free banking to old people and you should stay open no matter how much that costs you." When the Post Office read that they will probably fast track its closure.

 

This is the problem when you have politicians with no commercial acumen. They argue that businesses should do stuff that sends them insolvent.

Edited to add:

 

On reflection I would not be surprised at all if they've already been tipped off that this post office will stay open and this letter is just a soft touch but cynical signal that our local politicians fought so hard to keep it open.

Edited November 26, 2024 by CPR Dave

[Sue]

1 hour ago, CPR Dave said:

It's really not a very good letter.

 

It doesn't say anything at all about the services they provide that people actually pay for in droves that commercially justify keeping it open.

 

It might as well have said " you're only useful for providing free banking to old people and you should stay open no matter how much that costs you." When the Post Office read that they will probably fast track its closure.

 

This is the problem when you have politicians with no commercial acumen. They argue that businesses should do stuff that sends them insolvent.

Edited to add:

 

On reflection I would not be surprised at all if they've already been tipped off that this post office will stay open and this letter is just a soft touch but cynical signal that our local politicians fought so hard to keep it open.

How would you have phrased  the letter then?

And what are these services they provide that "people pay for in droves that commercially justify keeping it open"?

If keeping it open was commercially justified, then presumably they wouldn't be considering closing it.

Have I misunderstood you?

[Dulwich dweller]

On 14/11/2024 at 18:55, malumbu said:

Those who live in the modern world can scan cheques on those little computers they keep in their pocket that also act as a phone.

It's also possible to live in the modern world without a little pocket computer.

[Cyclemonkey]

Part of the problem the PO has is it has become all things to all people.  It has become vital for a small group of people in providing banking and other in person services.

But sadly that means for many others it is off putting to use.  I need to use it a few times a year to send a parcel.  The opening  hours are such it is hard (basically impossible) for me to use it during the week, I don't want to use my Saturday morning  or lunch hour queuing up behind loads of people.  So I use the Royal Mail's online parecel service instead. 

[Moovart]

Lordship Lane Post Office is on a list of post offices being considered for closure.  Please sign the petition to try to prevent closure. It provides essential services , including an ATM, n East Dulwich and is always busy.  It's closure would be a big loss to many if the people of ED.

 

https://www.change.org/p/save-lordship-lane-post-office

[char1i3]

This is the place that has massive queues of people and very grumpy staff, offering loads of services that are available online, where they have refused to take parcels booked through online services. Lots of ATMs available elsewhere but who uses cash anyway? Not sure why it would make sense to keep a place open that costs a fortune in salaries and rent, when people can access the same services from their own computer or phone. The Post Office needs to make a profit and has to cut costs.  

[Jellybeanz]

Not sure grumpy staff is relevant... for many, especially elderly people, the post office is essential. Agree it needs modernising but the point is it's a very useful service in many ways.

[the_hermit]

I'm afraid I agree with char1i3.  That Post Office does not deserve to survive.  I doubt the elderly gain much from such lacklustre and restrictive service.  What they do gain can surely be delivered in a more productive way either by the Post Office or someone else.

[Cyclemonkey]

Whenever I have used that Post Office the experience is pretty sub optimal - long queues, not enough staff,  general air of chaos.  The one at Forest Hill above WH Smiths is a lot better. 

I might use the Post Office more if they didn't insist on only opening when most people are at work.  It is most odd.

[Twoddle]

Close it so WE can stay in and be more grumpy? Prefer it to stay open myself.

The queues are people collection pensions and the Christmas rush. The post office on Forest Hill Road is the same around now.

Also, long live cash.

[Moovart]

If you're one of those people that uses the post office and creates those frustrating queues because you need to use it, for whatever reason, please sign the petition. 

If you work there and don't want to be made redundant, you could sign too.

The others don't need to bother.

https://www.change.org/p/save-lordship-lane-post-office

[Jenijenjen]

Who will the petition be presented to?

[teddyboy23]

Cash transactions were up last year by 7% 2nd rise in 2years. More people are using cash.every thing is getting more expensive.if i go shopping .say with £60 in my pocket, and I spot an item say £65 .then I can't buy it. If I have £60 in a bankaccount.then you think sod it I can use my overdraft and pay for it.whitch costs more in the long run.besides there are still a few million older people who don't use computers or smartphones with bank apps.who rely on their local post office for cash.

[Sue]

2 hours ago, teddyboy23 said:

Cash transactions were up last year by 7% 2nd rise in 2years. More people are using cash.every thing is getting more expensive.if i go shopping .say with £60 in my pocket, and I spot an item say £65 .then I can't buy it. If I have £60 in a bankaccount.then you think sod it I can use my overdraft and pay for it.whitch costs more in the long run.besides there are still a few million older people who don't use computers or smartphones with bank apps.who rely on their local post office for cash.

What percentage of total transactions are cash transactions?

A "rise of 7%"  doesn't mean anything without some indication of what the starting figure was, and how it compares to non cash transactions.

And I'm also interested to know what percentage of older people "rely on their local post office for cash"?

I'm now by some hideous mischance  nearer 80 than 70, and I haven't "relied on  cash" for years, let alone relied on my local post office for it. I'm pretty sure I'm not some statistical anomaly!

I carry  emergency ten and five pound notes for the rare occasions when I might need cash. Even the Big Issue sellers take card payments now.

There will always be a few  people who hang on to the old ways. If progress was halted because of them, we would still be in the stone age.

There are, or used to be, free classes to teach older people about computers and the internet, and basic smart phones are relatively cheap. But I'm not sure what that has to do with having a bank card.

Have I misunderstood your post?

Edited Saturday at 12:58 by Sue

[Jellybeanz]

I find the post office massively helpful for posting parcels, either one on Lordship Lane or Gt Portland Street. Not all couriers collect and we don't have an Evri that close to my knowledge, Co op formerly Barry's does Yodel but Evri or parcel force are most reliable in my experience. 

For working people there is always a queue when we have time to go (lunchtime) and I've rarely known there not be a queue. For the retired yes you can be more flexible at quieter times. 

[Dulwichway]

Personally I use Royal Mail for sending items, but I'm sure some of our older folk still rely on using the post office for various other uses, so hopefully it will remain for the foreseeable future.

[Sue]

It is my understanding that the services which the  Crown post offices on this list  (such as the one in Lordship Lane) presently provide would be transferred to new sub post  offices such as those that already exist in shops.

So  services such as posting parcels  would not disappear. They would just be provided in additional suitable  locations (eg shops)  locally.

Or possibly parcel lockers, though I don't know how those work in terms of posting rather than collecting parcels.

The Post Office obviously needs to look at all suitable alternative options which would be cheaper for them than continuing to have dedicated (?)  premises which are running at a loss.

Bear in mind that all this is at a very early stage.

I'm not convinced that a petition signed by individuals is the best way to influence the decision makers, who one hopes  will be taking all factors into account and  consulting relevant interest groups anyway.

Probably making your feelings known to your MP or councillor would be likely to carry more weight.

But what would I know.

Edited Saturday at 15:32 by Sue

[Pugwash]

With no banks in ED now, shop keepers need somewhere to bank their cash. There are plenty of local shops and services which take cash as well as cards.

I went to the Forest Hill PO prior to Christmas looking for an ATM (I was shopping in FH at the time). Long queues no ATM but was told that the station had ATM. If LL PO goes, I assume that the ATM will go as well. This will leave only the Co Op with ATM. The  Sainsburys Local ATM  near the Library frequently runs out of money/breaks down due to constant use now Lloyds have closed.

[Sue]

42 minutes ago, Pugwash said:

With no banks in ED now, shop keepers need somewhere to bank their cash. There are plenty of local shops and services which take cash as well as cards.

I went to the Forest Hill PO prior to Christmas looking for an ATM (I was shopping in FH at the time). Long queues no ATM but was told that the station had ATM. If LL PO goes, I assume that the ATM will go as well. This will leave only the Co Op with ATM. The  Sainsburys Local ATM  near the Library frequently runs out of money/breaks down due to constant use now Lloyds have closed.

It would be interesting to have a breakdown of the post office transactions, to see what proportion of each kind of transaction makes up the whole.

Obviously it will vary according to the time of year, and I imagine also according to the day of the week.

I would also imagine that shopkeepers in 2025 will have very much less cash to bank than in say 2015, even.

Edited Saturday at 19:13 by Sue

[vladi]

Sure, there is much less cash being banked these days because businesses are driven to accept card payments. They have to go to card payment because there is no local bank where they can pay in their daily take. In effect, it is a feedback loop which will result in no high street banks at all.
Cash payment is really only used for paying  self-employed trades people who are evading tax.

[Sue]

16 hours ago, vladi said:

Sure, there is much less cash being banked these days because businesses are driven to accept card payments. They have to go to card payment because there is no local bank where they can pay in their daily take. In effect, it is a feedback loop which will result in no high street banks at all.
Cash payment is really only used for paying  self-employed trades people who are evading tax.

Surely there is much less cash being banked these days because the vast majority of people find it much more convenient to pay by card (or phone) than to have to get out cash, carry it around, pay with it,  and then mess about with having to find somewhere to store heavy loose change.

Card payment  is also much easier for the shop. And much easier for customers in a queue who don't have to wait while someone gets their purse out, counts out the money and gives it to the assistant,  who then has to count out and give them their change, which they then have to put away in their purse... 

And nobody from the shop has to carry shedloads of notes and heavy bags of coins to the bank or post office and queue up to pay it in.

There is also less likelihood of a customer being short changed, or of  some  form of theft from the till.

Edited 22 hours ago by Sue