Southwark has lost a lot of Post Offices and sub Post Offices under the last Labour Government – 19 in total! So I was delighted to hear that Lib Dems in the coalition government have secured a £1.34bn fund to rebuild and support the remaining network. Some may get to reopen.

But they still face issues. Locally we have unkown sometimes hidden sub Post Offices. The one on Crossthwaite Avenue SE5 is a great example. Southwark Council want to increase its rent by 93%. The council has also refused to allow any signage from the nearest busier road to point potential shoppers to the small parade of shops. We don’t just need fare rents but also some promotion they exist.

To find your nearest post office please use this LINK – you might find a welcome surprise of a sub Post Office you didn’t realise was there.

I’ve suggested to the council leader Cllr Peter John that he ensure council officers make a simple sign pointing to the Crossthwaite Avenue sub Post Office in his ward. I’ve suggested a future Southwark Life resident magazine feature such hidde gems. He has confirmed that he’s going to visit this small business with south Councils head of property. Hopefully some sense about rents will prevail.

In East Dulwich we also have a largely unknown sub Post Office at 369 Lordship Lane. I never understand why we have such queues at the 76 Lordship Lane Post Office when we have this sub Post Office nearby with no queues.

These sub Post Offices could also help provide access to many council services generating income for them and better access to service for residents – parking permits, council tax payments, council rent payments, etc.