Post Office set for switch to Smith’s
THE Post Office in Ormskirk town centre could be closed. Post Office services would instead be made available within the nearby WH Smith store.
The WH Smith store at 13 Moor Street is about 160yds from its site at 19 Aughton Street.
Public consultation on the plans will run until November 16 in order to give residents a chance to raise any concerns they have.
The Post Office is asking for feedback on factors such as the location, the premises, accessibility or community issues that customers would like considered before a final decision is made.
Post Office Crown Network has said that no staff will lose their positions and that the quality of service will not be compromised.
The war memorial in the premises that commemorates those who worked for the company when it was the General Post Office could also be moved to the new premises and rededicated.
Roger Gale, general manager of the Post Office Crown Network, said: “We are committed to keeping our services on the high street which we know is hugely important to people. This proposal means we can continue to do that into the future.
“Our customers will be offered the same range of services. Our collaboration with WH Smith helps secure the long-term viability of services for local customers.
“We are making sure we take the right course of action to sustain services for years to come. We must adapt to the changing needs of our customers, who want a convenient and flexible choice of when and how they do business with us – whether that is face to face or on the web.”
It is proposed that the branch would move in February 2017.
Local historian Dot BroadyHawkes said: “I have suggested to the regional post office HQ and to the local council heritage department that the ideal place for the plaque would be the foyer of The Civic, as that is where the men would have enlisted, trained and possibly used for their territorial drilling.
“The Civic have already expressed their delight in the idea of adding the plaque to the foyer.
“We’d also be suggesting to the council that the Comrades Roll of Honour, currently hanging in one of the council office corridors, is relocated to the same place at the same time to allow it to be seen by the public again after being there a couple of decades.
“We have done a post on Ormskirk Bygone Times with the link to the consultation online survey, which hopefully people will use.”
Comments can be left for the Post Office, via its customer helpline – 03457 223344 – its website, comment @postoffice.co.uk, or by freepost – address letters to “Freepost your comments”, no other names, addresses or details are necessary.
What do you think? Email your views to: newsdesk@ormskirk advertiser.co.uk