CONTROVERSIAL plans to open a restaurant or retail store in the building which currently houses Warrington’s town centre post office in Old Market Place, come before borough council planning chiefs on Wednesday.
The scheme would involve moving the post office inside the WH Smith store in Golden Square – and it is that aspect of the scheme which has attracted opposition.
Warrington & Co – which in partnership with the borough council is overseeing the £200 million redevelopment of the town centre over the next five years – says moving the post office from Old Market Place to the WH Smith store would represent a substantial loss to the town centre.
But at the same time, the proposed use of the present post office building for a leisure/restaurant operation would enhance the leisure offer in the town centre.
The proposed new location for the post office is unsuitable in terms of accessibility, prominence and operation capacity, they say.
However a neighbouring business says the post office should be positioned in a place that makes access easy for all.
He complains of a lack of public consultation and says there has not been enough information about the proposed re-location.
The post offices is one of the busiest businesses in the town centre, serving thousands of people every week, and as such should be in a prime retail position.
He adds: “I do not see how relocating to WH Smiths is feasible or beneficial to the people of Warrington.”
Planning officers point out that relocating the post office does not require planning permission.
They are recommending that the restaurant/leisure plan for the present post office building be approved.
The Post Office in Old Market Place
Restaurant plan for post office sparks opposition
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