The Putney Society and MP Tony Colman have vowed to keep a close eye on standards at the town's new-look post office.

Putney's main branch post office closed last week and has become a franchised post office cum mini market despite a bitter campaign by residents to halt the changes.

Consultation over the post office was later labelled a sham when it was discovered a new contract was signed before a key public meeting was held.

The Post Office says falling turnover and the need to continue funding small rural post offices meant the closure was inevitable. The same services will be provided and staff will receive the same training, it promises.

Communication Workers' Union (CWU) representative Ian Ward this week thanked all the Putney residents and groups that fought the campaign.

"Unfortunately, like on many other occasions, the Post Office has failed to listen to reasoned argument and carried on regardless.

"The CWU will continue to monitor the situation at Putney and will continue to oppose the privatisation or closure of any main branch post office."

Mr Colman has raised the matter in Parliament and has asked ministers to look again at the policy of franchising and public consultation issues.

"We need more consultation that is taken into account, a longer term view of the future of profitable post offices and a bit more common sense."

November 16, 2001 14:30