Post Office saved from closure (From Watford Observer)

Croxley Green Post Office saved from closure

2:46pm Wednesday 12th November 2008 in News By Neil Skinner

Customers at a popular Croxley Green Post Office are celebrating after it was saved from closure.

The future of the branch, at the top of Baldwins Lane, had been in doubt when a change of ownership threatened its ‘temporary closure.’ The branch was to close its doors on Friday, November 14 when the newsagent which houses it changed ownership.

Residents and councillors feared, however, that the closure would prove permanent – with the branch becoming the second to close on the road in a year.

New owner of JJ News Jogaraja Kandiah, however, has agreed to take over the running the branch after impassioned pleas from long-time customers, many of whom would have faced a lengthy walk to another branch.

Mr Kandiah, also owner of the Londis store a few doors down the road, said: “When the former owners sold the business the Post Office said the branch would have to close while it looked for a new owner.

“They were not finding anybody so the customers began asking me. I know how important the Post Office is to the older people around here – it is vital to the community.

“It’s going to be hard work but I could not let the Post Office close – it is too important to people.”

A temporary post master will run the branch for the next three months until Mr Kandiah has received the appropriate training to take on the role.

Three Rivers District Councillor Brian White said: “This is great news for the community. We only just managed it but we saved the branch at a time when others are going under.”