PLANNING chiefs have given the go-ahead to the controversial plan to convert Warrington’s town centre post office into a restaurant or retail store.
There was opposition from councillors, neighbouring business owners and urban regeneration group Warrington and Co.
But members of the borough council’s development management committee approved the proposals after hearing that the post office would be moving out of the building anyway.
They plan to take space inside the WH Smith store in Golden Square.
The committee was told that Warrington and Co believed 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 argued.
A neighbouring business owner said the post office should be positioned in a place that makes access easy for all.
He complained of a lack of public consultation and said there had not been enough information about the proposed re-location.
The post offices was 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 added: “I do not see how relocating to WH Smiths is feasible or beneficial to the people of Warrington.”
Planning officers pointed out that relocating the post office did not require planning permission.
The committee approved the proposed change of use of the Old Market Place building.
The Post Office in Old Market Place
Post office to become a restaurant or shop
22 Comments
2 Comments
It seems ridiculous that the planning officers can accept “we will be moving out of the building anyway” as a planning consideration and yet refuse to consider “the viability of the proposed new location”.
As the present use is perfectly viable, wouldn’t it have been more appropriate for the owners to apply for ‘change of use’ after and not before they have vacated the premises?
Are there not enough restaurants/cafes already in the town centre? So many Post Offices have, or are being, closed around Warrington (Stockton Heath’s is a case in point too in this situation). Can relocating a post office to the back of a shop really be viable? Are WH Smiths willing to have long queues down their aisles while people are waiting to be served at the post office counter? Will access be available for the disabled trying to reach the back of the shop? I think more consideration is needed before this goes ahead.