Plans are afoot to 'relocate' Alresford's main Post Office to the Co-Op on West Street. The Post Office is currently conducting a public consultation on the plans.
Post Office managers say customers will benefit from a brand new serving counter, “set within a bright, modern, spacious environment” and “level entry” to the premises with an “automatic door”!
They are asking for local feedback - by 23 February and held a packed public meeting hosted by NATC on Thursday 18 February. A wide range of comments were made to the representatives from the Post Office and the Co-Op around issues of access and the position of the Post Office within the convenience store.
There were heated exchanges between residents of Makins Court which sits behind the Co-Op store on West Street.
Prospective Winchester MP Steve Brine (pictured with Cllr Ken Yeldham) attended the meeting with New Alresford Town Councillor, Ken Yeldham; "I do understand the retirement of the current postmaster at Alresford has forced a decision from the Post Office on its future. But I think they could have worked a lot harder to help find a new lease holder and maintain the stand-alone service. The move to the Co-Op is obviously going to happen, I am sure we will all get used to it in time and thank goodness the majority of the staff are moving to the new store but ultimately I don’t think the relocation will lead to a better service for Alresford residents and that is deeply regrettable.”
Ken Yeldham added; “I think there is an awful lot of detail that has yet to be thought through here, such as the increased traffic movement around the co-op store and the impact on local residents in new adjacent properties especially.
What do you think?
Email Steve and Ken [email protected] or call 01962 791110.
Give the Post Office your view, copied to Steve and Ken as above, via [email protected]