Keighley's main post office to move into WH Smith store (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Keighley's main post office to move into WH Smith store

7:00am Thursday 20th March 2014 in News By Alistair Shand

Campaigners have lost their battle to save Keighley’s main post office from closure.

The Towngate premises will shut and the facility be shifted to WH Smith next month, it has been revealed.

Opponents claimed the move would be a disaster for the town.

But this week it was confirmed that the new post office service is scheduled to open within the store in the Airedale Shopping Centre on April 24.

Work will start this weekend at the WH Smith premises on preparing for the move.

And interest has already been shown in the existing Towngate post office building by prospective new tenants.

Steve Seymour, the shopping centre manager, said: “A lot of people would have preferred to see the post office facility remain where it is, but we would rather have the service within WH Smith than not at all.”

Mr Seymour added that marketing of the current post office unit, which although outside the main precinct is part of the Airedale Shopping Centre, began earlier this year.

Post Office Ltd’s proposals sparked anger from union bosses and some townspeople, who claimed the move would lead to an inferior service and that there would be insufficient room within the WH Smith store to house the new facility.

But at a customer forum event held in Central Hall, Keighley, in January, postal chiefs refuted the allegations and said the layout of the WH Smith outlet would be reconfigured to create space.

They added that the company had enjoyed an excellent relationship with WH Smith since 2006 and there were “fantastic” examples around the country of post offices operating successfully within stores.

The new facility will have seven counters – four open-plan and three secure – and there will be a dedicated queuing area.

The public consultation ended early last month.

Plans have been unveiled this week to move Cross Hills post office into the village’s Spar store.

Post Office Ltd said the relocation from Prospect Street would create seven-days-a-week access to services, and opening hours would more than double.

There would be three serving positions, including one screened.

A six-week public consultation period has now begun.

People can submit comments at postofficeviews.co.uk – using branch code 249306 – by writing to Freepost YOUR COMMENTS at Post Office Ltd, e-mailing comments@ postoffice.co.uk, calling 08457 223344 or by textphone to 08457 223355.