royal mail branching out into the supermarket sector

[borders]

Royal Mail puts in planning application for Barrack Road superstore http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/ ... _1_1591062" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Published on Sat Oct 30 07:39:12 BST 2010


ROYAL Mail has submitted official plans to convert its former sorting office in Barrack Road in Northampton into a supermarket.


It has not yet been revealed which company could be lined up to move into the building, but it is known 
Tesco had talks with the West
Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) about the site last year.

The sorting office was gutted by a fire in 2003. It has stood empty since then, but Royal Mail has said it would make an ideal supermarket.

In the plans it has submitted to the WNDC, Royal Mail said: “The food store proposals fit well into the existing building and both the major floors are used to their full potential with minimal alterations.”

The company said the sorting office should not be knocked down because demolishing it would be a “formidable undertaking” which would have a real impact on the surrounding area.

It has also said the building is unsuitable for either an office development or housing.

As part of the plans to convert the building, a large glass entrance would be attached to the front of the building and new windows would be created in its side.

A grass roof would also be created on top of the building, complete with six bird boxes and three bat boxes.

In front of the building, a newly created public space would feature disabled parking spaces and a piece of artwork designed to reflect the building’s past.

The building’s lower-ground level would be used as a car park with 335 spaces while the basement would have a further 40.

It has been predicted by Royal Mail that if the supermarket development went ahead, it would create about 400 new jobs in the town.

The WNDC is expected to make a final decision in the next few months on whether or not the scheme can go ahead.

[borders]

4 hour stint delivering mail followed by a 4 hour stint stacking shelves, anyone up for that !!!????