Uncertainty Over the High Street's Post Office

No update from Chatime despite extended closure

The Chatime Bubble Tea cafe has not been open for a number of days

March 12, 2026

Acton High Street has been left without a functioning Post Office once again, after the Chatime bubble-tea café at 96 High Street — home to the town centre’s only postal counter — abruptly closed its doors. The shop is currently listed as “Temporarily closed” on Google, and the Post Office has now confirmed that the branch is not operating, with no date yet set for reopening.

The closure has caused confusion among residents, many of whom rely on the High Street counter for everyday postal and banking services. The Post Office’s own branch finder had continued to show the location as open earlier this week, but a spokesperson has now clarified the situation, saying:

“Acton Post Office is temporarily closed. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the unplanned closure. We do not have a date for the re-opening of this branch.”

The spokesperson directed customers to alternative branches at The Vale and Ealing Common as well as the Acton Banking Hub for banking and bill payments. Two “drop and collect” points — on Churchfield Road and Acton Lane — remain available for prepaid parcels.

The uncertainty marks a sharp reversal for a branch that only opened last summer after years of campaigning. Acton has been without a dedicated Post Office since the closure of its Crown branch in 2018, apart from a short-lived counter inside Budgens in 2021. The arrival of the Chatime-hosted Post Office in July 2025 was widely welcomed, offering extended hours and seven-day service.

The café and postal counter were run by Hamid Abdulwahid Hamid, who became Acton’s new postmaster after completing his training. At the time of the launch, he spoke enthusiastically about serving the community and building a new business from scratch.

Hamid serves a customer at the Post Office counter in the bubble tea cafe

But regular customers say the shop’s opening hours have been “erratic for months,” with Hamid often working alone and struggling to maintain consistent service. It is not yet clear whether staffing pressures, financial difficulties or other issues have led to the current closure. There is no notice in the window and attempts to contact Hamid have been unsuccessful.

Even those closely involved in securing Acton’s postal services have been unable to get clarity. Maire Lowe, the local campaigner who helped establish the Acton Banking Hub and has long lobbied for improved Post Office provision, said she had no information about what is happening at Chatime or when — or if — the counter might reopen. We have also contacted the owners of the Chatime franchising business and await a response.

The Chatime Post Office opened officially on 19 August 2025, with a ribbon-cutting attended by MP Dr Rupa Huq and TV presenter Konnie Huq. At the launch, Dr Huq described the new branch as a “bittersweet milestone,” noting the contrast between the former full-service Crown office and the new co-located model. Still, she welcomed the return of face-to-face services and praised Hamid’s commitment.