Hackney residents shocked at the sudden closure of their post office are campaigning to get it reopened.
London Fields Post Office in Broadway Market was suddenly shut on Friday last week (July 10), prompting confusion and upset from locals.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) was told that residents were awoken to the sound of drilling and angle grinders at 3am on Friday as the landlord repossessed the premises from the managers.
A groundswell of support has since emerged as 1,400 people signed an e-petition urging the landlord, as well as Hackney South & Shoreditch MP Meg Hillier, and Post Office Ltd to get its doors back open.
Pete Smith, 71, said the news had caused “almost universal upset”.
He told the LDRS: “My feeling is that when we learned what was happening on Friday morning, there was just rage, but a lot of sympathy and a determination to do something to save it."
Pete said staff are "very, very well liked".
“If you’re really frail and struggle to walk then the closure will obviously have an impact.”
Resident Kathryn Lovering, 80, said the post office was an “essential” service, especially for elderly people in an area with very few cars.
“You can do your banking there, buy all your Post Office items there, and return things. It’s the only shop on Broadway Market that sells newspapers.
“I have a balance disorder, which means I can’t walk very far because I get unstable. The next post office is far too far for me to walk, and now there are huge queues.”
Some residents have claimed the landlord Ismet Serce planned to shut the building due to a legacy of rent arrears from a refurbishment period during the pandemic.
But the landlord hit back at what he deems “misleading” claims.
Although confirming that the recent closure was due to a dispute over arrears, his solicitors stated that these were unrelated to that period.
“If the former tenant wishes to challenge the forfeiture, the proper route is through the court, not through a public campaign based on misleading information," Mr Serce’s solicitors said.
The LDRS sought comment from the tenants and understands they are reluctant to comment on the ongoing situation due to the legal ramifications.
The petition states: “Whatever the outcome of those issues, the closure has had a significant impact on the local community.”
A Post Office spokesperson said “operational reasons” were behind the “unplanned” closure but the organisation was working hard to “restore service as soon as possible”.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused to customers. In the interim, Cambridge Heath Post Office is the closest alternative branch at 0.45 miles away. Also within a mile are Victoria Park, Kingsland Road, Hackney Road, Bethnal Green Road, Well Street, Dalston Lane, Bethnal Green and Hackney.”
The Post Office advised residents to check online for open times and services provided using their branch finder.
Hackney Council officers have contacted the Post Office and the operators to offer support in discussions with the landlord.
Dame Meg Hillier MP said: “I know how important local post offices are for residents and I am pressing to ensure minimal disruption of services and for a solution to the issues in play.
"Broadway Market is a vibrant and much-loved shopping street and we want our high streets to include useful shops and facilities like post offices, where possible.”
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