Post Office site surveys drive rumour mill

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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POST office services could be on the move in Godalming, raising concerns that the main branch will leave the High Street all together.

The Post Office is currently located within the Waterstones book shop on a temporary basis, and on multiple occasions over the past few years news of an impending relocation has caused a stir among residents and retailers.

All had been quiet for the past year, but it has now emerged that the company has been in touch with Lorimers and Workstation, both in the High Street, over a potential relocation to their stores.

However, managers of both shops stated the Post Office decided not to proceed with their sites.

Manager of Lorimers, Helen Richards, said: “Lorimers put a tender in to have the Post Office. They came down and measured up and I do not know why but I received a letter saying they were no longer going ahead with the tender.”

The manager of Workstation, Anil Patel, is angry with how the Post Office conducted the investigation at his shop.

He said: “We have been very interested in having the Post Office. We would be glad to have it. My son finished at university last week and we had him lined him up to work in it.

“They said they needed four or five metres’ width to fit the office in. So they came down to measure up the other week but said the space was too small, as it was 4.89m.

“I get the feeling they just don’t want to do it at all, it seems ridiculous to refuse us on those grounds.

“I am insulted really. They have wasted my time. I think they probably want to close in Godalming High Street all together. Maybe they cannot afford it, maybe Waterstones has told them to go.”

When asked about the investigations, a spokesman for the Post Office said: “We have not announced any plans to move Godalming Post Office. All relocations are subject to a full public consultation.”

Chairman of the Godalming & District Chamber of Commerce, John Taylor, said: “We are desperate for the Post Office to stay in the town centre.

"It would be very nice if they could move back into the old Post Office building opposite Pizza Express.

"They left there about 18 years ago but the lease on it is due to run out in about two years.

“Customers of mine say they desperately need it to stay in the town centre for all sorts of reasons.”

A Waterstones representative told the Surrey Advertiser it was "absolutely not" planning to leave Godalming.

Last year a Royal Mail spokesman said they had been actively seeking a "more secure" solution to keep the local service running.

[Lounge Lizard]

"All had been quiet for the past year" no, this is Godalming, the past century more like.