Post office closure sends Broadway Market reeling

Hackney residents are campaigning to get their local Post Office reopened after its shock closure with a petition aimed partly at the landlord.

London Fields Post Office on Broadway Market was suddenly shut on Friday 10 July, prompting confusion and upset from locals who treasure both the services and its operators, David and Rajani.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) was told that residents were awoken to the sound of drilling and angle grinders at 3am on the Friday as the landlord repossessed the premises from the managers.

A groundswell of support has since emerged as over 1,500 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.

‘Almost universal upset’

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.”

“David and Rajani and their staff are very, very well liked. They’re sweet, kind people. I really adore them,” Mr Smith added. “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.”

She added: “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.”

A dispute over arrears

Some residents have claimed the landlord, Mr 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. The tenant’s solicitors have been contacted, but to date the tenant has been avoiding contacting the landlord or his solicitors with a view to resolving this matter,” 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: “The parties have different accounts of the circumstances that led to the closure, and we do not seek to comment on the legal merits of that dispute. Whatever the outcome of those issues, the closure has had a significant impact on the local community.”

‘Restore service as soon as possible’

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.”