We recently announced some changes we are proposing to make to Colchester Post Office.

We are proposing to move Post Office services into WHSmith in Lion Walk Shopping Centre.

We know how much our customers rely on their local Post Office and understand the concerns they may have about these changes.

I would like to reassure customers they will still be able to pick up their pensions, buy stamps, collect and return home shopping or access their usual high street bank account, in just the same way as they do at present.

Indeed, there will be no changes to any of the services available over the counter at the Colchester branch.

Additionally, the branch will be open longer, including on Sundays.

The Post Office is not immune to the pressures facing all retailers.

We must respond to the unprecedented change taking place on high streets and adapt to changing customer needs.

A key element of this is providing greater convenience, by making sure that our services are available when and where people want them.

This means easily accessible locations, with longer opening hours.

In Colchester, we propose to do this by opening on Sundays.

We are not making these changes lightly – but we need to make them if we are to ensure that branches like Colchester remain at the heart of towns and cities, not just in the short term, but for the long term too.

We’d really welcome the opportunity to explain why changes need to be made; to highlight the stringent standards we have in place to ensure good access for all customers in our new branches; and to listen to your comments too.

The public consultation on the proposals runs until December 28 and we are seeking views on areas such as accessibility, both inside and outside the branch, or wider community issues which should be considered.

There will also be a customer forum held on Tuesday, December 4 from 3pm to 5pm at Lion Walk Church.

However, the element of our plans that we not seeking feedback is the principle of franchising a branch.

This is because the change of management at Colchester Post Office to one that is operated by a retail partner rather than Post Office directly is a commercial decision, and we believe it is the right one in order to sustain Post Office services in communities.

Get in touch with us on postofficeviews.co.uk, at comments@postoffice.co.uk or by post: "Freepost Your Comments".

Roger Gale
Network and sales director
Post Office