Councillor Barbara Dring and I checking out the proposed new Kingstanding Post Office location
To day I have received the following from a senior Post Office representative this morning
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"we briefed colleagues
at Kingstanding Post Office that we are to proceed with the proposal to move
the branch from its current location to the vacant retail premises which was
previously HSBC at 7 Kettlehouse Road, Birmingham, B44 9JJ to create a modern
branch for customers where it will be run by our new retail partner.
Kingstanding branch is due to move to its new location on
Thursday 10 May 2018. The same wide range of products and services will
still be available, with the exception of the Biometric Enrolment Service for
the Home Office, however DVLA services will still be available. The Biometric
service will relocate to Sutton Coldfield Post Office, WHSmith, 140-142 The
Parade, Gracechurch Centre, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1PH.
Our partner will incorporate a retail offer of greeting
cards, gifts and confectionery to run alongside the Post Office and we’ll be
working together to provide a new, modern Post Office with sufficient room for
Post Office and shop customers. The branch will have its own
designated area to the right as you enter the store and customer access both
into and within the store will meet Post Office Ltd’s own accessibility standards
and all applicable legislation
Through this partnership we will maintain and modernise Post
Office services in a location which is approximately 180 metres from the
current Post Office branch. We believe that franchising this branch will
allow us to better secure Post Office services in this community for the longer
term and help strengthen and secure the Post Office network as a whole.
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I have been saddened by the news that the Post Office formally in the Kingstanding precinct is being closed and I hope all those staff who have worked there can find other employment.
I am however pleased that the move will only be some 180 Metres away to the former HSBC bank in Kettle House Road. This site is fully adaptable for disabled people and there is parking not to far away. I am also pleased that at least there will be still a post office in the local area offering most of the usual services.
I will continue to offer my services to the owners of the Kingstanding Precinct and will help them if I can if they require it.