Walsall Post Office set to move from 1928 building to old BHS store
Walsall's main Post Office could be moving from its current 91-year-old base to a shop inside the town's old BHS building.
Under proposals put out for public consultation today, the Post Office would move 360 metres from its dedicated building next to the Civic Centre in Darwall Street to inside a new shopping centre at the old BHS on Park Street.
If the move goes ahead in October as planned, the Post Office will no longer have a self-contained branch but will instead be run as a franchise inside a shop, whose workers will be trained to offer Post Office services.
The identity of the new retail partner has not yet been revealed, but the Post Office says it will offer "convenience, stationery and printing solutions" from a unit in the rear left hand side of the centre.
Interactive map shows planned move:
Should the move go ahead, staff working at the Post Office will be able to transfer their employment to the new shop or potentially take voluntary redundancy.
A Post Office spokesperson said: “We will be talking to the Walsall branch team about their potential options.
"Employees have the right to transfer their employment in line with TUPE legislation following any decision to franchise their branch, there might also be opportunities for redeployment or a voluntary settlement.”
It is not yet known what will happen to the building which opened in 1928. However the Post Office said it will be working with the Royal Mail to identify an appropriate place to relocate a war memorial which is inside the current branch.
Roger Gale, Post Office’s network and sales director, said: “The most effective way to secure the long-term viability of our services in Walsall is with a retail partner in a central location.
"We are confident that our proposal is the best way of safeguarding services for years to come.
“By opening branches with retailers, bringing the benefits of shared footfall and overheads we are able to keep our presence in key locations.
"Post Offices offer a wide range of services - including everyday banking for customers of all UK high street banks, online shopping returns and collections and foreign exchange – in a competitive marketplace.
"It’s vital that we continue to adapt to fast-changing consumer and high street trends so that our branches are sustainable for the future.”
The old BHS, which has been empty since August 2016, is being turned into an indoor shopping centre with around 35 tenants by Retail Multiples (Walsall) who have signed a 20-year lease.
So far it has not been confirmed which shops will be based in the centre or when it will open.
Under the plans the Post Office opening hours will stay as 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and "a wide range of services" will still be available from five serving positions and two self-service kiosks.
There will be no cash machine but customers will be able to withdraw cash from the counters using their debit card, while shopping returns, collections and foreign exchange will also be available.
The Post Office is now seeking the views of local residents on the plans and is particularly keen to hear about any potential accessibility issues and how the move could impact the community.
However it specifically does not want feedback on the move to a franchise model, saying the plan to no longer directly operate a branch in Walsall is a "commercial decision".
A customer forum will be held in the coming weeks but the details are still being finalised.
Views and comments can be provided until August 7 at postofficeviews.co.uk, via email at comments@postoffice.co.uk or by post to the one-line address FREEPOST Your Comments.
