Fears for future of Royal Mail sorting office in Tenbury

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Fears for future of Royal Mail sorting office in Tenbury's Teme Street as Post Office gears up to move to Bowkett's

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FEARS of job losses and long journeys to collect parcels have been raised following speculation on the future of Tenbury’s Royal Mail sorting office.

Concern has increased as a consultation goes ahead on plans to move the post office from Teme Street to Bowkett’s supermarket at the other end of town.

This has led to questions being asked about the sorting office which shares the building with the post office.

Royal Mail says no decision has been taken on the future of the office yet, as the consultation on the post office is still ongoing.

Spokeswoman Val Bodden said: “Any changes to Royal Mail services will always aim to improve customer service and minimise staff disruption.”

Although these are separate businesses, the fact that the two are on the same site means businesses and residents can at present collect parcels from the building.

Post Office Ltd is proposing to move its facility into Bowkett’s supermarket next January or February.

But it is not clear if the closure of the current facility in Teme Street will also mark the end of the road for the sorting office which is used by delivery staff to sort their mail before making deliveries.

Mark Willis, the mayor of Tenbury, and town councillor Janet Fielder have both raised concerns at town council over the future of the sorting office and the possible loss of jobs.

Businesses in the town are also worried about the consequences for parcel collections if the sorting office were to be closed.

“We receive several parcels a day including films,” said Ian Little, general manager of The Regal.

“If Parcel Force makes attempts to make a delivery but no-one is in then it is taken to the local sorting office for collection.

“We are only open between 10am and 2pm during the week so this happens to a lot of our parcels but at the moment all that is involved is a walk across the road. But if the sorting offices closes there is the prospect of a drive to either Kidderminster of Worcester to collect the parcel.”

“If it was necessary to travel long distances to collect parcels then this would have a huge impact and there is also the question of what would happen to businesses that have PO Box numbers.”

The proposal has been triggered by retirement and the plan – out to consultation until Wednesday, November 25 – envisages moving it into Bowkett’s supermarket.

According to Post Office Ltd this will result in a number of benefits including longer opening hours and the ability to buy items like stamps over the counter. Foreign currency would also be available.

But Tenbury Town Council have declined to rubber stamp the move and the Mayor Mark Willis and Town Clerk Dawn Worgan have been designated to find more information.


Ken Pollock, who represents Tenbury on Worcestershire County Council, thinks that the change could bring benefits but has a number of reservations.

These include the number of counters that will be available as well as a concern that there will be a lack of privacy Another of his concerns is that the position of a post office in Bowkett’s would be further from the town centre.