Spalding Post Office: Doors set to shut when building lease runs out in 2021
Spalding's post office, on Winsover Road, looks set to close when the building lease runs out next year.
The post office is currently run in the building by Lincolnshire Co-op, which has pledged to look at a 'range of options' to ensure the post office stays in the town.
In a public notice, the Co-op says that its lease on the building runs out in February 2021.
It said: "We are looking at a range of options to ensure the best opportunity of retaining this service for the town and make it sustainable in the future.
"We’ll work alongside Post Office Ltd to explore partnerships with other organisations and alternative locations for the branch. We would welcome suggestions and ideas.
"This could include co-locating the branch with other community services. We’ll be making proactive approaches to other organisations to see if we can work together on this.
"During this time, Post Office Ltd will also be advertising the contract to run the branch on www.runapostoffice.co.uk and other businesses or groups can also apply to run it."
It is inviting applicants interested in running the post office to apply by September 4 this year.
South Holland District Councillor Gary Taylor (Communities and Facilities portfolio holder) and a part-time postman, said: “If it closes it will be a shame but if we find a better location it could be a positive. It is not in an ideal location as it is not in the centre of town.
“We do not want to lose it. We do need a post office in Spalding town. Businesses are also using it for retail and mail order. We will be campaigning for it to stay in the town. We will be working with people to come forward and have a healthy debate."
We asked people at Spalding's market on Tuesday what they thought of the news.
Chris Hammond (73), who lives in Spalding, said: “It (the post office) needs to stay open. There are some small post offices around the town but we still need it in the centre. It was good when it was in the Sheep Market.”
Beryl Cooper (75), also of Spalding, said: “I think they should leave it where it is. I think it is very handy.”
Elizabeth Oliver (62), of Spalding, on hearing it could close, said: “It is disgusting. It needs to be in town. There is nothing in the town. It is not worth coming into town. There 'was' a market. Now it’s a ghost town.”
And Diana Chapman (63), of Spalding, agreed. She also said that she believed that building Springfields has had an impact on the town.
"They should have never built Springfields,” she said. “They should have spent the money on the town."
A Post Office spokesperson said: “The lease on the current building, which we do not own, is expiring in February 2021. The current operator, Lincolnshire Co-op, is working with our Post Office field team to try to find suitable alternative premises.
“We understand how important a Post Office is to a community and we are committed to providing a Post Office in the area. We are looking at ways to provide Post Office services and would also be interested in hearing from any retailer interested in incorporating a Post Office in their premises.
Please email ND.enquiries@postoffice.co.uk or call 0333 345 5560, then select option 2. The vacancy is advertised on www.runapostoffice.co.uk.”
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