Post Office up for sale

Stafford's iconic Chetwynd House, the town's former main post office is being marketed by a leading real estate firm for private sale.

Birmingham-based company Atis Real has displayed large inquiry notices on the railings of the Grade II-listed early Georgian building in Greengate Street.

A spokeswoman for the company said it will be sold, rather than leased and they are unable to declare how much it is being marketed for.

The move heralds an uncertain future for the much-loved building which had been home to the post office for nearly 100 years.

Fears that it may be snapped up by property developers or converted into a retail space have prompted more calls for preservation.

Secretary of the board of the Broad Eye Windmill, Jennifer Lindores, said everything must be done to save it: "The creation of a museum in Chetwynd House would complement our own plans for one in the Broad Eye Windmill.

"I would like to support all plans to make it a museum."

She is part of a group of enthusiasts who formed 11 years ago to convert the windmill into a permanent museum for future generations and she hopes someone will feel the same passion for Chetwynd House.

Millionaire developer Fred Pritchard has already registered his interest with Atis Real.

He has vowed, if he does buy it, to preserve the history and facade of the building which was built by MP William Chetwynd between 1720 and 1740. The interior of the building still maintains many of its original features and could also be preserved.

He said: "I am still waiting for them to get back to me about it but I am very interested in saving the property.

"I know Atis Real are marketing it for sale and I am just hoping to find out some more in the near future."

Mr Pritchard said the sort of thing he had in mind was offices, a museum and a dining area, somewhere people could eat while they are surrounded by artefacts of yesteryear.

The Post Office put Chetwynd House on the open market after moving up a short distance away to the WHSmith store at the beginning of October.

Stafford is one of 70 WHSmith branches across the country to be taken on as a post office franchise and Post Office Ltd has admitted the changes are because it has been losing money. The move caused spread concern over the future of Chetwynd House and Stafford's MP David Kidney said he wants to see it become a museum or a base for small local businesses.