Two temporary Post Office counters are due to open in the Civic Centre in Uxbridge on Thursday 6 August from 9am, after Hillingdon Council stepped in to ensure the continuation of the vital service following the closure of the High Street branch in May.
The council has worked very closely alongside Post Office Ltd since TG Jones announced the previous branch would close, exploring potential options for a temporary location while a permanent home is sought.
Subject to smooth setup and testing, the counters will be available from next Thursday and located at the top of the stairs and ramp, near the entrance to Uxbridge Library. They will be open to the public from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm on Saturdays, and offer 95 per cent of the services available at any permanent post office. The Post Office will look to open a permanent branch at a new location later this year.
The move brings yet more essential services onto the Civic Centre campus, maximising the use of council assets, helping to meet residents’ needs more effectively and generating income.
Discussions are also at an advanced stage for the potential relocation of Hillingdon’s Integrated Sexual Health Service from The Wakley Centre, Hayes delivered by London North West Hospitals NHS Trust. The move would provide residents with a more accessible location and a modern clinical environment. This, alongside health clinics already being run from the building by The Confederation, Hillingdon and a number of NHS teams already based at the Civic, supports a more integrated approach to care.
The council is also in discussion with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to lease space at the Civic. The DVSA currently occupy temporary accommodation, but the proposals will provide a longer-term arrangement.
Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Leader of Hillingdon Council, said: “We know thousands of residents relied on Uxbridge Post Office, so it was only right that we take decisive action.
“As soon as we were informed that the Uxbridge Branch was closing, we contacted the Post Office and offered the Civic Centre as a temporary location. We confirmed this action at full council and unlike one of the borough's current MPs, instead of simply grandstanding on social media, we’ve worked hard to secure a solution for residents and ensure minimal disruption. While the Post Office is not a council service, this is a great example of the council acting to meet the needs of the community.
“By hosting the Post Office in our Civic Centre Campus, we also continue to centralise key services for residents, with it sitting alongside Uxbridge Library, the Register Office, Uxbridge Family Hub and Learn Hillingdon Adult Community Education and a range of health and wellbeing services. This means these services are more accessible and responsive to local needs.”
David Hempstead, Post Office Retail Change Lead, said: “Post Office and Hillingdon Council have worked closely together to find a way to restore a much-needed Uxbridge Post Office in the heart of the town. We’re both delighted that we have found a way to re-open the branch in a very convenient location for residents, businesses and shoppers. We are very grateful for the space at the Civic Centre.”