Plans for empty delivery office

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STAMFORD'S former Royal Mail delivery office could soon be transformed into a stylish new restaurant or upmarket boutique.
Most of the 19th century building, in All Saints Place, has been empty since postmen and women working there were transferred to a new superunit in Orton Southgate, Peterborough, in June last year.

But BNP Paribas Real Estate, which is handling the sale of the property on behalf of Royal Mail, said there had been lots of interest shown by potential new occupants since it was put on the market a month ago.

Marketing agent Caroline Guest said she had been contacted by a number of firms in the restaurant and retail industries.

She said: "This is a significant building in the heart of Stamford and there has been lots of interest in its in freehold sale.

"It's likely to be used as a retail unit or restaurant although significant work would be required to ready the building for such use."

The original brick and stone building was built in the 1880s and extended in the 1930s. It has a basement, ground and two upper floors.
The property is being sold on the condition that the the Post Office will lease back its unit fronting All Saints Place as part of a £35,000 per year, decade-long deal.

BNP Paribas Real Estate believes the vacant upper levels and sorting area of the building offer a fantastic redevelopment opportunity.

Andrew Leech, vice-president of the Stamford Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said he would be delighted to see the building back in use.

Mr Leech, who is also a partner at Richardson chartered surveyors, which has an office just metres away from the site, said: "The building has been empty for several months and, prior to that, was under-utilised. It would be great for the town if it was redeveloped and reopened as either a restaurant or a retail unit.

"It's in a good location and I'm sure whichever firm buys the building will make a success of it."

Royal Mail transferred 60 workers from Stamford and a further 18 from Oundle to the Peterborough superunit, which it said was replacing outdated and cramped offices. When announcing the decision last year, it stated that there would be no job losses or changes to rounds or delivery times as a result of the move.