Whitehaven Post Office to move to WH Smiths
As was put forward in a consultation just before Christmas, the Post Office is to close the main Crown post office in Lowther Street, Whitehaven and replace it with a sub-post office within the WH Smith branch at 10-11 King Street, Whitehaven.
The existing post office will close for the last time at 5.30pm on Wednesday 18th March and the new branch will open at WH Smiths at 9am the following morning, Thursday 19th March.
The new branch will be open from 9am to 5.30pm on Saturdays and from 12 noon to 4pm on Sundays, so this has the effect of introducing Saturday and Sunday afternoon opening. It will be sited in a new purpose-built Post Office area on the ground floor of the WH Smith shop building.
There will be directional signage from the entrance door through to the new Post Office. It has been promised that aisles will be kept free of obstructions and there will be sufficient space for Post Office customers to move around within the store, including wheelchair users, so they can reach the Post Office area without hindrance.
The Post Office counter will be built to Post Office specifications, including having lighting that meets industry standards, low level counters, PIN pads and hearing loops. The Post Office have promised that there will be adequate space for Post Office customers to wait for service and they say that customer seating will also be provided.
The new branch will have two traditional style, floor to ceiling screened serving positions and two open plan ones.
Details of the move are available at postofficeviews.co.uk quoting branch number 005410.
The existing post office will close for the last time at 5.30pm on Wednesday 18th March and the new branch will open at WH Smiths at 9am the following morning, Thursday 19th March.
The new branch will be open from 9am to 5.30pm on Saturdays and from 12 noon to 4pm on Sundays, so this has the effect of introducing Saturday and Sunday afternoon opening. It will be sited in a new purpose-built Post Office area on the ground floor of the WH Smith shop building.
There will be directional signage from the entrance door through to the new Post Office. It has been promised that aisles will be kept free of obstructions and there will be sufficient space for Post Office customers to move around within the store, including wheelchair users, so they can reach the Post Office area without hindrance.
The Post Office counter will be built to Post Office specifications, including having lighting that meets industry standards, low level counters, PIN pads and hearing loops. The Post Office have promised that there will be adequate space for Post Office customers to wait for service and they say that customer seating will also be provided.
The new branch will have two traditional style, floor to ceiling screened serving positions and two open plan ones.
Details of the move are available at postofficeviews.co.uk quoting branch number 005410.
Comments
this post looks to have a mass of blank space at the end of it. Just wondering if its my display?
Agree, they may have to look at the doors. The post office say that there will be clear access routes for all customers including those in wheelchairs.
Cant see it being too much of an effort. The real problem would be the layout of the ground floor. The tills beside the door will have to move and some more space is required to allow access between the shelves. Its not just a simple case of "put the post office in that counter at the back" think the whole ground floor will need a re plan.
Jim's correct it "Would not take a lot to fit automatic slide doors.", but WH Smiths hasn't and no planning applications have been made to alter the doors.
So it's not going to be accessible. Oh we shouldn't worry Copeland BC will be on the case.