Fight to protect Leamington's historic Post Office

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CONCERN is growing for the future of Leamington's main post office after the company revealed it will be put on the market.

The town's branch is moving a stone's throw from the Priory Terrace building to the Spar supermarket on Bath Street. The current Victorian building will be vacant from December 14 when it will be let or sold.

Marianne Pitts, Leamington Society committee member, is seeking to have the landmark building listed to protect it from harmful development.

Speaking to the Observer, she said: "This is a very handsome building which has served Leamington for more than 100 years.

"I want to make sure that now the post office is moving the building stays as it is. I don't want it being spoilt."

She added the intention to market the property had alarmed the society and made the listing even more urgent.

The purpose-built building was one of several designed by architect James Williams at a time of great expansion for the Post Office between 1840 and 1913. It opened in March 1870 and has been Leamington's head office ever since.

It lies in a designated conservation area between the Old Town and New Town and is surrounded by a number of Grade II listed properties, including All Saints Church and buildings opposite on Victoria Terrace.

Mota Singh, a Leamington councillor who worked proudly as a postman in the town for 28 years, said: "Along with the Pump Rooms and Jephson Gardens this forms part of the pride of Leamington and we should be protecting these things.

"It's all business minded thinking. They know they can make more money out of the building if it's used for something else.

"It should be a public place. It's the right place for the post office."

The move is part of a Government funded strategy which will see around 6000 branches - about half the Post Office network - converted to new style formats.

Seven serving positions will operate at the new branch, due to open on Monday, December 16.

The Royal Mail sorting office behind the current building will not be affected by the changes.

Marianne Pitts wants the post office building listed to protect it from harmful development.