Shops / News
Authorities deny shop owner’s request for a community-requested post office
A shopkeeper’s attempts to transform his shop into a post office have failed repeatedly, after rejections from concerned authorities.
Jeevarasa Kanagalingam owns two almost neighbouring shops on Cotham Road South. In late 2024, he started building on the community’s demand for a post office, hoping that he could help them while earning some extra money himself.
Despite continued support from Cotham’s councillors – Mohamed Makawi and Guy Poultney – the Post Office has failed to uphold their demands, citing the “proximity of an existing branch at Stokes Croft” as the reason.
is needed now More than ever
Currently the shop sells food, snacks and groceries
Explaining the need for another Post Office, despite the one is Stokes Croft that is less than a mile away, Kanagalingan said: “The problem with the Post Office in Stokes Croft is that is down a hill.
“Most people that live on this street are old and they can’t walk down the hill. Cotham Hill is a little bit far for them from Stokes Croft. Customers have been asking me to open a post office here as well.”
In a joint statement from Cotham’s councillors to Bristol24/7, Makawi and Poultney are concerned that the Post Office’s response “does not reflect the reality of accessibility”.
They added: “Residents would need to navigate steep hills, long public transport routes, or travel significant distances—obstacles that disproportionately impact people who are less mobile.
“We believe this is an issue of fairness, accessibility, and inclusivity. Cotham is a thriving area with a unique population that deserves access to essential services, like any other community.
“We are urging the Post Office to reconsider their decision and to work with us to explore a sustainable way forward.”
Summarising a response shared by the Post Office, councillor Makawi said: “The Post Office cited the proximity of the existing branch at Stokes Croft—located less than a mile away—as a key reason for their decision, alongside their need to prioritise limited resources to maintain a sustainable national network.
“They also noted that opening a new branch must not negatively impact the viability of existing branches in the area.”
“Should local service provision change in the future, they will reconsider opportunities for additional services and engage with interested retailers.”
Bristol24/7 contacted the Post Office for a comment but did not receive a response.
All photos: Karen Johnson
Read next:
- Postmistress turned councillor slams ‘morally bankrupt’ Post Office bosses
- Post Office closed ‘due to Covid-19’
- Closure of Westbury-on-Trym Post Office confirmed
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