Sheffield post office branch moved despite objections

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A Sheffield post office relocation went ahead despite hundreds of objections from residents, The Star can reveal.

The Nether Edge branch closed and moved about 400m to Rehman A & Sons in Abbeydale Road after the Post Office ran a consultation about the proposals.

Coun Peter Rippon, Lord Mayor of Sheffield, this week officially unveiled the relocated branch, which is open from 9am to 9pm seven days a week, an increase of 38 hours.

However, a question in the Post Office consultation – obtained by The Star – asked customers if getting to the new location would be more or less difficult.

And only 21 people said it would be an improvement opposed to 128 who felt the change would be worse.

Comments included: “Abbeydale Road is a very busy arterial road with poor provision for parking. For those walking to the new site, it is an incline from either Sheldon Road or Glen Road, making it tougher for those who are infirm or with small children.”

Another said: “It is out of the core Nether Edge commercial area, on a main road with parking restrictions, and would be extremely difficult for disabled persons or the elderly to access.”

One comment said: “Nether Edge shops have been fighting successfully to survive and prosper. The removal of the post office from the area would present a major blow to its continuing viability and hence have a significant negative impact.”

Another said: ”The move certainly takes the post office away from the local community. It will not only remove a local resource from a prime location, but also restrict the community interaction with it.”

A minority did leave positive responses, including: “I think people may be worried about the change but I don’t think there will be any real disadvantages for the community.”

A Post Office spokesman defended the move. “We acknowledge that with the change of location there are some customers who feel more inconvenienced than others, whether they have to walk a little further or use a different bus stop. Equally, and as expressed in the consultation feedback, for some customers the new branch will be more conveniently located.”

The Post Office added the nearby mosque will let customers use its car park, while a permanent ramp will be installed for disabled access and aisles will be kept clear for wheelchairs. It also said longer opening times will cut queueing and offer better flexibility.

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"The Post Office added the nearby mosque will let customers use its car park"