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Post Office future back in limbo

By Lisa Reeves - Tuesday, 2nd August, 2011 - 17 comments

Post Office Ltd has announced today that it will not be going ahead with its plans to relocate Alderley Edge Post Office to the Co-op because the supermarket has changed their mind about operating the branch.

A Post Office spokesperson said: "Unfortunately we will not be going ahead with this relocation as our franchise partner has withdrawn. Therefore Alderley Edge Post Office will remain in its existing premises for the time being."

A spokesperson for The Co-operative said: "We have reviewed our position and have come to the conclusion that, on balance, our food store in Alderley Edge would not provide a satisfactory location for a Post Office. We understand that local people may be disappointed by our decision, and we apologise for any inconvenience it may cause."

This news obviously raises concerns about the future of Alderley Edge Post Office and whether a new postmaster can be found. 

We have only just received this news so we will keep you updated as we learn more about the future of the village post office.

17 Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Neil Stelling Tuesday, 2nd Aug, 2011 5:31 pm
What nonsense this process has been! Surely the Co-Op cannot have offered this facility months ago, and yet only now say it won't work?

If anyone from Waitrose is reading this... now's your opportunity to bring in lots of extra footfall.
Dawn Kelly Tuesday, 2nd Aug, 2011 5:32 pm
I'm absolutely staggered that the Co-op would not appreciate the footfall that a post office on site would bring. I'm sure many people who use the the post office are also planning on purchasing a few bits and bobs of groceries. I couldn't care less where the post office is as long is it remains in the village! But what planet are Co-op on?
David Hadfield Tuesday, 2nd Aug, 2011 5:57 pm
This confirms my theory that, in my opinion, the Co-op are half-baked, and I don't mean just their bakery department!

I agree with Neil Stelling.... Welcome Waitrose, and include the Post Office.
Alan Howard Meadowcroft Tuesday, 2nd Aug, 2011 6:12 pm
Could it possibly be that the Co-op are not confident of the viability of their store now that Waitrose will be next door?
Dawn Kelly Tuesday, 2nd Aug, 2011 6:16 pm
Alan - I think you could be right, but what better way to protect your store & ensure a good footfall than locating the post office within?
Mike Norbury Tuesday, 2nd Aug, 2011 6:55 pm
Oh well Waitrose enter via a white charger to the rescue ? I think the Co op have just handed a massive p.r publicity shot free of charge to their soon to be opening competitors duh!
Craig Browne Tuesday, 2nd Aug, 2011 8:42 pm
Hmmm, something of an own goal being scored by the Co-op I believe. Perhaps they felt that accommodating the Post Office would have meant losing their cigarette gantry! Anyway, since Waitrose is also a co-operative, I shall not mind if the Post Office moves there instead and will be happy to give them my trade.
Martin Reeves Tuesday, 2nd Aug, 2011 8:50 pm
I think Alan may well have hit the nail on the head. We recently covered the opening of the Knutsford Waitrose store for knutsford.com and I have to say that it stocks a very broad range of products in a similar footprint to the soon to open Alderley store. Perhaps the Co-op management felt that in order to effectively compete with Waitrose they could not afford the loss of retail space that the Post Office would take up (I believe the intention was to put it where the wine section is).
Dominic Brown Tuesday, 2nd Aug, 2011 11:40 pm
Well lets be honest how can 3 supermarkets compete in close proximity? If I was to guess I would say the Co-op could be in danger.
Frank Keegan Wednesday, 3rd Aug, 2011 12:00 am
Could be, of course, that it is the Post Office which wants to pull out of Alderley Edge and has made life difficult for Co-op!

The only thing that matters is that the Post Office is retained, in its current location preferably.

Plan B was to support Co-op; back to Plan A which is for Parish Council to support Post Office in current location. It would be disaster if we lost P.O.
Mike Norbury Wednesday, 3rd Aug, 2011 11:07 am
Mentioned what i'd read on here to a manager in waitrose wilmslow last night and their eyes lit up and said they'd report to area management. No harm in mentioning it I thought :-)
Sue Joseph Wednesday, 3rd Aug, 2011 6:17 pm
The main thing is that we should retain the Post Office.
As an ex sub postmistress I feel Frank could be right about the Post Office proving difficult for the Co-op to wok with.
I would prefer to see the PO in a fully accessible location but failing that remain where it is. Whichever it is to be the Parish Council will support the retention of the amenity in the village.
Neil Stelling Wednesday, 3rd Aug, 2011 8:11 pm
I hadn't thought this was cancelled due to Co-Op maybe closing. But it's also true that three supermarkets in that small area is un-necessary for this village, and may not be feasible.

Frank makes a good point that the best option is for the p.o to stay where it is. Who is the landlord ? What type of retailer could use the empty space next to the p.o. ? The landlord is probabloy aware that if the p.o leaves, then those premises will be empty of the the next 3+ years while he continues to pay business rates... so give the p.o a good deal to stay !

Frank is also correct that it's most important to keep a p.o in village, and just possibly the co-op may not be entirely to blame
James Garrett Thursday, 4th Aug, 2011 11:10 am
Neil. i am sure that the shop wont be empty for very long. if we go back to when this was first mentioned, i seem to remember the Bubble Room having a planning application to extend into next door. Maybe this will be re submitted should the post office move?
Dennis Carter Sunday, 14th Aug, 2011 11:29 am
Have any of those with some clout in the Village thought of asking Barclays for their thoughts.

Barclays are strong in their "Barclays in the Community". They have a wonderful building in the middle of the village with, I am sure, space available, readily available strong rooms and could possibly absorb an additional safe.

Problems: Differing hours of service.
Saturday morning opening

Advantages: Good additional business and Income for Barclays
access for collecting and delivery of mail and parcels at its side
a secure premises for the public to conduct business
hopefully a long term future for the Barclays branch - one never knows when "the plug might be pulled" on a closure in these difficult financial times.

Has anyone else have ideas for an approach to Barclays?
David Hadfield Sunday, 14th Aug, 2011 12:56 pm
Correct me if I'm wrong here but I don't think The Post Office has EVER gone into partnership with any bank in the UK and had their Post Office counter within the Bank's premises ? As already stated, too many problems as comment above.
Dave Clarke Sunday, 14th Aug, 2011 6:49 pm
I think you only need to look at the number of 'other' banks the Post Office counter services, Santander, National Savings, cheque cashing for most of the clearing banks, to imagine Barclays allowing it to be very unlikely.
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