A FAMILY who run an award-winning Post Office have started a petition to fight for the return of free parking.

Haresh Patel, who owns the branch in Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, said he has seen trade plummet in the last few years and blames the loss of custom on the lack of places for motorists to leave their car conveniently.

He fears this alone could sound the death knell for his business and said the introduction of a 20p-per-hour pay-and-display tariff to Grimsdyke Road Car Park by Harrow Council in July had aggravated matters.

Mr Patel, of Tilbury Close, Hatch End, said: “We are really suffering and we really need our customers to have somewhere to park.

“Charging people to park in the car park is stopping residents from coming into the Post Office.

“We are losing trade and have lost 30 per cent over the last few years and I believe the main reason is because lack of parking.”

More than 150 of his customers have signed the family’s new petition calling on the council to bring back the free parking so shoppers could return to popping in and use the Post Office without having to pay.

Ward councillor for Hatch End, Councillor Stanley Sheinwald (UKIP), is backing the petition and hopes to draw in local support.

He said: “The council are killing local businesses.

“They should be helping local businesses, not making it harder for customers to park and use them.

“If the council keep restricting parking then people will not use the Post Office or other businesses in the area. I am hoping that this will help change their minds.”

The Post Office branch has been run by Mr Patel’s family for 25 years and was voted the best London Post Office in 2010.

The council says the charges were introduced to curb commuter parking, however, the family hope their petition will force action at the Civic Centre.

Mr Patel, 60, said: “It’s very simple for the council to sort out, but they won’t. A few years ago they put three disabled parking bays in front of us so no-one can park there either.

“It’s a build up of parking restrictions.

“We have run this business since 1991 and have won awards. Business was really good, now it isn’t.

“I really don’t want to have to close but things are looking that way.”

A Harrow Council spokeswoman said: “A small charge of 20 pence an hour was introduced in Grimsdyke Car Park in July last year in order to curb an issue with commuter parking and free up more spaces for people to park short term.

“We are confident we have made it easier for people to park within walking distance of local shops as there are now more spaces available for them to do so.

“We are committed to supporting traders in Hatch End and are happy to meet with them to discuss this further.”