Anger at move for Chippenham Post Office

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Plans to move Chippenham’s Post Office to a convenience store have been questioned by customers.

The Post Office, at 41 to 43 Market Place, is moving on Friday, December 7, as part of a major modernisation programme.

Residents though are concerned the move to nearby One Stop Shop, 110 metres from its current site, is unnecessary and the building will not be able to cope with the numbers of people using the Post Office.

Owen Pennell, secretary of the Chippenham Civic Society, said: “The post office has no reason to move.

“Since the late 1950s the current Post Office has served the residents of Chippenham very well in a purpose built building.

“I would like to know why it is not possible to fully refurbish the existing building as the cost of converting the One Stop Shop must be considerable compared to a refurbishment of the current building.”

A Post Office spokesman said the move would ensure the future of the Post Office in Chippenham.

He said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in Chippenham and we are confident that this new modern Post Office will meet the needs of the community and secure services for the future.”


The new Post Office said its new branch will have a mixture of five open plan and screened counters, ensuring there is enough space for Post Office and retail customers. A combined Post Office and retail till in the shop means that customers can purchase Post Office products during shop opening hours, 7am to 10pm Monday to Sunday.

The Post Office has not said if any jobs are at risk as a result of the move. The branch will close on December 6 and the new branch opens on December 7.

[Lounge Lizard]

Owen Pennell, secretary of the Chippenham Civic Society, said: “The post office has no reason to move. Since the late 1950s the current Post Office has served the residents of Chippenham very well in a purpose built building" I would guess that the 'reason to move' is that it has been a Crown Office and Owen doesn't realise that rather than about £10 staff in the convenience store will be on little more than the minimum wage.