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STRETFORD Post Office will transfer to the WHSmith Store at the Arndale Centre next month despite criticism that it will mean the loss of a vital community facility.

It will close at its existing location at 10 King Street on April 23 and reopen the next day some 150 yards away in its new location at 91/92 Arndale Centre.

Kieran Quinn, Postal Workers Union official, has fiercely criticised Royal Mail's decision to transfer the Stretford branch to a franchise partner.

He said: "By doing this the Post Office will become just another shop on the high street and it is not, it is a vital community facility.

"That first step into WHSmith is the first step towards losing the Post Office in Stretford, these so called improvements were against the wishes of the public and there was a complete lack of consultation - they just ploughed on regardless.

"We had to be resigned to the fact the Post Office was going to close, all we were asked was what would you like to see at the WHSmith store, not do you want it to move in the first place."

Councillor Steve Adshead who wrote to the Chairman of the Post Office with a 1,000 signature petition, said he felt their views were not taken into account during the six week consultation process.

He said: "I am very disappointed that our concerns were not taken on board, our issues were not addressed in the consultancy period - it felt more like a business deal than a closure."

Mr Quinn also raised concerns over the services that will be provided at new location, he said there will be new inexperienced staff and added that was worried about WHSmith's ability to run a public service.

Cllr Adshead added that residents are worried the new store will not be fully staffed and will struggle to cope and was concerned about what will happen to the old Post Office building and how it's loss will impact on the shops around it.

A Post Office Ltd. spokesman said the decision to transfer the branch to a franchise partner is a commercial decision not subject to public consent, but before finalising the proposals, in line with the Code of Practice, Post Office Ltd allowed six weeks for customers and representative groups to outline their views on customer service aspects of the change.

Post Office Ltd's Christine Nolan said: "This new branch is one of the most modern in our national network. Together with our partners WHSmith, we have spent a lot of time and effort ensuring that customers will receive excellent service in a pleasant environment."

WHSmith's regional manager Ian Rowley said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Post Office to ensure that main post office services continue to be available.

"Our highly trained staff are committed to delivering an enhanced service with longer opening hours from a convenient locations that is fully accessible to all customers."

Post Office Ltd. said all staff working in Post Office branches in WHSmith stores will receive exactly the same level of training as those employed directly by Post Office Ltd.

A spokesman said: "We are confident - and results from the six trial sites in 2006 reinforce this - that the level of service offered will be of the usual high standard expected by Post Office Ltd customers."

They added the Post Office Ltd lease the Stretford Post Office and the lease will pass back to the landlord when the property is vacated.

10:17am Wednesday 26th March 2008

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