Community

Recently Post Office Ltd. has announced a consultation on future of Hodnet Post Office.
They are proposing, with the current Postmaster’s agreement, to move the village Post Office branch to a new location in Hodnet Village Stores, Church Street. If the move goes ahead the local Post Office will become one of the new local style branches.
This change would be part of a major programme of modernisation taking place across the Post Office network, the largest in the history of Post Office Ltd. The Programme is underpinned by Government investment and will see up to 8,000 branches modernised and additional investment in over 3,000 community and outreach branches.
What will this mean for customers?

• Post Office services will be offered from a till on the retail counter in a modern open plan branch;
• Longer opening hours;
• The majority of Post Office products and services will still be available;
• Improved accessibility.

Consulting on the proposed new location
A 6 week local public consultation has already started and the Post Office is asking local residents to tell them what they think about the suitability of the proposed new location. Before the company finalises its plans, they would really like to hear residents views on the proposed location, particularly on the following areas:

• How suitable you think the new location and premises are and how easy it is to get there?
• Are the new premises easy for you to get into and is the inside easily accessible?
• Do you have any concerns about the new location?
• If so, do you have any suggestions that could help us make it better for you?
• Any local community issues which you think could be affected by the proposed move?
• Anything you particularly like about the proposed change?

The Public Consultation ends on 12 November 2015. If the move goes ahead the local Post Office the change will take place in January/February next year.
Full details of the consultation are available in this copy of a letter to the Parish Clerk. The proposed changes would mean that Post Office products and services would be available throughout shop opening hours from an open-plan till at the shop counter. These are from 7am to 7.30pm on Monday to Friday, from 8am to 7.30pm on Saturday, and from 8am to 2pm on Sunday. According to a table in the above letter there would be no loss of services resulting from the move.
To participate in the consultation local residents should pursue one of the following courses:

• On the internet via www.postofficeviews.co.uk [N.B. This author had difficulty using this this service];
• By email to comments@postoffice.co.uk;
• By phone 03457-223344 (Textphone 03457-223355) [N.B. This service requires the caller to select from 5 levels of options, to save time please use this sequence, one digit per menu – 2/5/6/2/2];
• In writing to “FREEPOST Your Comments” [N.B. This is the full address needed, no other details are necessary.]

Remember the consultation ends on 12 November 2015.