Latest plans for Tesco at former sorting office go on show

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Latest plans for Tesco at former Royal Mail sorting office go on show

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LATEST plans showing how the former Royal Mail sorting office in Barrack Road, Northampton could be converted into a large Tesco supermarket are due to go on show next week.


The sorting office was destroyed by a fire in 2003 and has stood empty ever since.

At the end of last year, Royal Mail revealed plans to convert the large building into a supermarket, and last month the firm confirmed speculation that the company interested in taking over the building was Tesco.

Both Royal Mail and Tesco now plan to show their latest vision for the site to members of the public during two roadshows at the end of next week.

In a letter sent out to people who live close to the former sorting office yesterday, Royal Mail said: “The building has been largely vacant since the fire in 2003, but remains structurally sound and capable of alternative use.

“Royal Mail has developed proposals to bring the building back into active use and to improve the public realm by converting it into a food store. We are delighted to confirm that, subject to planning permission being granted, Tesco has agreed to operate the new store.

“The new store will demonstrate Tesco’s commitment to the local area by creating jobs and offering a wider range and choice of food shopping and by boosting regeneration locally.”

It is believed that when the plans are revealed, they will show Tesco hopes to have 500 jobs at the new store, 100 more than Royal Mail had previously estimated would be created if a supermarket was opened on the site.

Tesco currently has 10 stores in Northampton, including large superstores in both Weston Favell and Mereway. Last month, construction work also began on a new Tesco Express on the site of the former St Edmund’s hospital in Wellingborough Road.

Plans for the Barrack Road site will be on show at the Alliston Gardens Community Centre in Adelaide Street, Semilong, from 4pm to 7pm on Friday, July 8 and from 9.30am until 11.30am on Saturday, July 9.