KINGSTANDING POST OFFICE UPDATE

 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.