Chorleywood Post Office is one of thousands of branches across the UK being considered for a makeover stemming from the Government investing £640m in the PO network. If the revamp goes ahead work would take place in April and May and involve closure for 7 days. The fortress style counter would be replaced by an open plan interior with a quick service counter and one queue for retail and post office transactions. The branch would be open for longer from 8am -7pm from Monday to Friday and from 8am – 4pm on Saturdays.
Several concerns have been voiced about the proposed arrangement but, say the Post Office, the adaptation is aimed at making it easier for customers and helping to create a financially sustainable Post Office. Appropriate security measures would continue and services would not be compromised.
“Residents and small business customers will be able to access a wide range of Post Office and mails services, including Special Delivery, Local Collect, home shopping returns, online banking cash deposits and withdrawals.
Other services include withdrawals using a Post Office Card Account, sending funds abroad using Moneygram, and customers can also pay bills, pre-order travel money, apply for travel insurance and top up mobile phones.”
Chorleywood Postmaster Suren ? was worried that scrapping the fortress counter would mean a substantial drop in the cash allowed for deposits and withdrawals but PO HQ have confirmed that the cash limit will be £1000.
Local councillors Angela Killick and Martin Trevett are wary of the changes,
“It is vital that we retain Post Office services in the village” says Martin, “but I worry that queues will be longer.”
“It’s the services I want to protect.” adds Angela, “ I don’t care tuppence about an open-style counter.”
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