Business / Freefield post office set to remain in shopping centre – but move to different unit
THE FREEFIELD Post Office is set to stay put in the Toll Clock Shopping Centre despite a previous proposal to move to Home Furnishing.
Under new plans the post office would move to the unit currently occupied by the i’i shop.
The i’i shop would then move to a different unit in the shopping centre.
The change of plans comes after public consultation on moving Post Office services from the shopping centre to the Home Furnishing building, which has been on the market.
Postmaster Brian Smith said the main issues raised in the consultation was around parking and accessibility at Home Furnishing.
“This move would address that issue and also retain the services in the same area,” he said.
A consultation by Post Office Ltd was launched on 26 March. It can be accessed online here.
Submissions can also be made via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, by post to Freepost YOUR COMMENTS, or by telephone 03452 66 01 15 or textphone 03457 22 33 55.
A key consideration in proposing to move the post office in the first place was around the lack of accessibility in the current space, which can only been accessed by stairs.
The unit currently occupied by i’i is on the ground floor of the shopping centre and is located opposite an automatic door, while there is a large car park outside.
Smith added that his Clocktower business, which sells items like cards and art supplies in the same space as the Freefield Post Office, would also move to the unit currently occupied by i’i.
He said: “Our priority has always been to provide excellent service and convenience to our customers, and this decision reinforces our commitment to that mission.”
Managing director of Toll Clock Investments Ltd Malcolm Younger added: “I am delighted that the Post Office is staying and it is the correct decision to maintain their presence at the shopping centre, and listen to what the public want.”
The move is anticipated to happen in the next four months.
The previous proposal was for a post office counter to be introduced in the Home Furnishing building.
Home Furnishing remains on sale for offers over £100,000.
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