Wrexham’s town centre post office looks set to shut and relocate sparking further fears over a retail centre’s future.
The Post Office Ltd is proposing to move the branch from the ‘ghost town’ Henblas Square 160 metres to WHSmith in Hope Street in August.
However it will mean only British Home Stores will remain as a major outlet on Henblas Square, with one local branding the shopping centre “a disaster”.
'Another empty shop'
Local county Cllr Steve Wilson said it was good news the Post Office was remaining in Wrexham, but bad news another shop was being lost from the retail development.
Cllr Wilson said: “The plus side is that the Post Office will be maintaining a presence in the town centre and I hope they will maintain the service levels and opening hours there.
“The downside is that it is another empty shop on Henblas Square. We keep asking if there is any progress getting somebody into the former TJ Hughes site, because that could make it more attractive for other retailers to come there.”
Gareth Edwards, said: “The post office is already too small for the town and Henblas Square is a disaster.
“The demolition of the market and hippodrome have ruined that area of town and we are left with another white elephant.”
'Ghost town'
Liz Lloyd I think that the council should give new/local businesses the empty shops free or really cheap. We don’t have any quirky little clothes, art shops ,cafes etc. for that you have to go to Chester. It’s becoming a ghost town with only a few awful bargain shops
Kenneth Pritchard added: “Why? When they’ve just spent thousands doing the place up.”
But Colin Roberts said: “Good idea. Maybe the council can cut their high rates and get more shops in.”
A six-week public consultation has been launched today so customers and interested parties can have their say on the plans.
Same services on offer
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 WHSmith 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, on the web or through new initiatives such as self-service kiosks.”
Post Office chiefs said existing staff will move to the new site and continue to be employed by the Post Office.
Read: McDonald's bosses insist Wrexham town centre restaurant will stay open if new one gets go-ahead
Subject to consultation, the new post office branch will have five serving positions, a mixture of one screened and four open-plan counters, plus two self-service kiosks and will operate from a newly-build dedicated open-plan Post Office area on the first floor, accessed by customer lift or stairs.
If for any reason customers are unable to access the first floor, alternative arrangements to access Post Office services would be put in place from a designated till point at the ground floor retail counter as required.
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wrexham-post-office-relocate-disaster-11213678
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