Deadline for New Hampton Postmaster

11.39.00am GMT Mon 8th Nov 2004

After the closure of Hampton's Priory Road and Tangley Park Post Offices, residents in the northern part of Hampton are precariously dependent on the Post Office in Bear Road, Hanworth. Tesco, who currently operate that office, have made it clear that they do not want it to continue and have given a closure date of 5th January.

The Post Office is anxiously seeking a new operator to keep the post office open and, apparently, one applicant has applied and is being considered at present.

Vincent Cable MP, who is in contact with the Post Office and the consumer watchdog, Postwatch, over the issue, said: "It is touch and go as to whether there will be a post office in the New Year serving the northern part of Hampton. There has been epic mismanagement in the Post Office in their so called 'Urban Reinvention' - ie closure - programme with no proper planning or foresight. Even the Government's own backbenchers are attacking the Minister, Patricia Hewitt, for allowing this disaster to occur all over urban Britain.

"I am hoping that the applicant, whoever it is, is competent to take on the Bear Road office; otherwise there will be a large Post Office-free zone in this part of London."