The last remaining Post Office in Morden has been saved at least in the short-term as a plan to redevelop the site was rejected by the council.
Owner Anil Patel, who has run the convenience store in which the Post Office sits for around 20 years, said: “I don’t know what the next few months will be like. At least we are OK for now, and we will be fighting all the way.”
Mr Patel, who first learned of the plans two weeks ago, spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) after news of the planning refusal broke. “We found out yesterday afternoon. It was all a bit emotional, it was really tough,” he said.
Credit: Harrison Galliven
Anil and his wife Rashpal have run the Londis convenience store and Post Office at 34 Crown Lane since 2005. The Post Office service was added in 2017 as banking options in Morden declined. “People depend on us,” Anil said.
The application would have seen his ground-floor business converted into town centre flats. However, Merton Council’s planning team rejected these plans.
The council said the plan drawings were incomplete and that the layout caused access and safety issues. They added that noise assessments were not made and that there wasn’t enough natural light in the rooms.
The planning application was submitted by Capital Homes (Morden Regeneration) Ltd, which previously received permission to build a hotel nearby. The company and landlord could still appeal the decision, leaving the shop’s future uncertain.
Anil told the LDRS: “We fear they will be able to get planning somehow; they are backed by a big company. We will have to wait for the next matter.”
Credit: Harrison Galliven
Following the news of the potential loss of the Post Office and shop, members of the community rallied to support Anil and his family. A petition opposing the change has since attracted nearly 2,000 signatures, and the local Merton Labour group launched a formal objection to the plans.
One petition signatory, Doug, commented: “This is a viable business used by our family. Closing viable businesses will only hasten Morden’s decline.”
Since the council’s rejection, Anil has seen a wave of encouragement from customers and neighbours. “Lots of people have come in to show their support and congratulate us since. They are excited and it’s amazing,” he said.
Reflecting on the last two weeks, Anil noted: “The whole experience has made me wiser, and the people I have met are incredible. You learn a lot about the community when something like this happens.”
In addition to postal and retail services, the shop delivers newspapers and everyday essentials to elderly residents.
Local councillors have also expressed concern about the loss of this community resource, emphasising the importance of maintaining essential services in Morden’s town centre.
A spokesperson for Merton Labour told the LDRS: “We are delighted to hear that plans to convert Morden Post Office into flats have been rejected. This comes following an outpouring of support from the local community and objections raised by Morden Labour councillors. As a result, Mr Patel can continue to serve the community as he has done for the past twenty years.
“This campaign is a huge victory for Morden residents and those who depend on their local Post Office. Merton Labour councillors will continue campaigning with the community to protect these vital services on our high streets and in our town centres.”
