Ironbridge post office in move to pharmacy next door
Postal services are to be moved from a post office in Shropshire to a neighbouring pharmacy, it has been revealed.
The Post Office wants to move its Ironbridge branch from its current location in The Square next door into Ironbridge Pharmacy.
The move has been given a cautious welcome by Councillor David Davies, who represents Ironbridge Gorge on Telford & Wrekin Council. He said it was important the town kept post office services but added he would be calling for a meeting with Post Office bosses to find out more about the plans.
The change is being proposed as part of the Post Office's modernisation programme, which is to affect around half of the organisation's national network.
More than 6,000 branches across the country are being revamped as part of a £1.3 billion investment programme announced last year.
But the national scheme has drawn criticism from the Communication Workers Union, which said the plan had 'serious flaws' and claimed some 'downgraded' branches would offer fewer services to customers.
Post Office bosses say the Ironbridge move will allow for extended opening hours, with no lunchtime closing and services being available until 6pm on weekdays.
Opening hours at the proposed new location would be 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1am on Saturday, with no lunchtime closing, offering customers an extra eight hours a week to access Post Office products and services.
A six-week consultation on the move has now opened and will run until April 23.
Tony Jones, post office regional network manager for Wales and West of England, said: "We understand how important having a post office is to residents in Ironbridge and we are confident that this new modern branch will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future."
Councillor Davies said: "It is good news that the post office is going to remain in Ironbridge in The Square where people would like it to be. The main thing is we make sure the post office in Ironbridge is safe and will continue."
The announcement comes shortly after CWU members voted in favour of strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions affecting 4,000 postal staff working in 373 city-centre high street branches.
