Campaigners have delivered a petition with over 4,000 signatures to the Post Office in hope of persuading it to keep a crown post office operation going in St John’s Wood.

Ham & High: CWU representative Huw Davies presents the petition to save St John's Wood Post Office to Ken Penton, the Post Office's external affairs chief. Picture: CWUCWU representative Huw Davies presents the petition to save St John's Wood Post Office to Ken Penton, the Post Office's external affairs chief. Picture: CWU (Image: Archant)

The branch – on Circus Road – is set to move a quarter of a mile away, to the SW Food Store on Charlbert Street where it will be franchise-run.

However with the public consultation over and a final decision expected in around 10 days, local people and Westminster Council have in hope of persuading the Post Office to retain the existing post office.

A spokesperson for the Save St John’s Wood Post Office campaign said: “We urge the Post Office to listen to the views lof local residents and businesses and their democratically elected representatives. They should reconsider their position.”

Judith Morgan, 74, has lived in St John’s Wood for 40 years. She told this newspaper of the effect losing the crown office will have.

She said: “It will be taking yet another thing away from the high street, it will cut off half of St John’s Wood from the post office, and it will be far less convenient for older people if it moves to Charlbert Street”

Local councillor Peter Freeman told the Wood&Vale: “It is categorically untrue to say the council has forced the Post Office out. We have worked incredibly hard over several years to keep the post office where it is.

“I’m not sure what else there’s left to do. It seems like a decision has been made.”

Westminster Council’s finance chief Cllr Rachael Robathan said: “The council has been attempting to find a workable solution with the Post Office since the summer of 2015 to enable them to continue providing a full service (or crown operation) from Circus Road.”

A Post Office spokesperson said: “We will very carefully consider all feedback received during the consultation before making a final decision about St Johns Wood Post Office.”

The proposed postmaster and manager of SW Foods in Chalbert Street denied refurbishments to accomodate the Post Office move were already underway. He said: “We had to refurbish the shop post office or no post office. We still do not know what the decision will be.”