New post office in heart of Derby to replace two closing branches
A NEW post office will open in the heart of Derby city centre, replacing two branches that are to close.
The Crown Post Office branches in Midland Road and Victoria Street will close in May.
-
The Victoria Street Post Office
A more “modern” branch will then open in Babington Court, Babington Lane.
The new premises will offer customers the wide range of Post Office services, with longer opening hours and an open plan layout, designed to offer ample space and better access for customers.
visit us at www.meetthelenders.co.uk/blogs to Save 30% off your loan fees with Quick Quid, Read our article for instructions
Contact: 0115 8962299
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
There will be ten counter positions, as well as four self-serve “post and go” terminals.
The new branch will also contain two private consultation rooms where customers will be able to seek advice on matters such as mortgages and credit cards.
Nick Carroll, regional manager, said: “Merging these two branches into a new, modern, fully equipped Post Office in newly refurbished premises will secure the long-term viability of Crown Post Office services in Derby City thereby benefiting our customers.
“We understand how important Post Office services are to people in Derby. We want to make it easier for customers to do business with us through opening a new branch in a more central location.”
The move comes as the Midland Road and Victoria Street Crown branches have seen a decline in customers over recent years.
But city councillor Gulfraz Nawaz described the move as nothing but “cost-cutting” at the expense of people in the local community.
Speaking when the proposals were mooted last year, Mr Nawaz said: “I think these plans will affect a lot of people.
“Some people simply wouldn’t be able to make the trip and this facility shouldn’t be taken away.
“The facility has been there for years and I would say is just cost-cutting and saving money at the expense of those people in the local community.”
The new store will offer customers the usual range of Post Office services, with longer opening hours, from 8.30am until 6pm in weekdays – apart from Tuesday, when doors will open at 9am.
Saturday open times will be 9am to 5.30pm. It will be closed on Sundays.
23 Comments
View all
by Monsieur_Lupo
Thursday, March 21 2013, 2:22PM
“So, janine2011, you have established that all users of the Post Office get there by bus?!
How have you come to that conclusion?”
by Derby_born
Thursday, March 21 2013, 12:21PM
“Http_404, a rather selfish attitude towards elderly and disabled people, maybe the walk up hill is slight for you. I have worked as a volunteer, for several years, helping elderly and disabled people with their shopping in the city centre, I currently take my 84 year old father into town on a bus. The post office on Victoria Street is easy to access and is close to several bus services. A walk up St. Peters Street for many elderly people might as well be a hike up Mount Snowden, without the added strain if walking up Babington Lane.
The saying, "to understand someone, walk a mile in their shoes" has never been so true, if only the planners would consider this! Oh, have they provided a public toilet at this post office? The nearest public conveniences are at the Spot!”
by janine2011
Thursday, March 21 2013, 8:40AM
“Http_404 I am at the bottom of the street, barely 3 doors up. So either way round it is still uphill to get there hence I won't be going.”
by DerbyBorn
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 8:25PM
“I am a pensioner - I haven't been in the Victoria St Post Office ever - I have only been in Midland Road once in about 25 years other than to collect a parcel.
Am I missing some sort of OAP Ritual?”
by Http_404
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 7:53PM
“Janine
Gerard Street is on a similar hill
How do you get home?”
by janine2011
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 7:25PM
“Http_404, it might be a slight incline for you but imagine being disabled, as I am, or elderly and that slight incline might as well be the north face of the Eiger. From my home which isn't on a bus route, it is uphill from any direction and to walk there and back would take copious amounts of morphine to alleviate the pain. Somehow I doubt I will be visiting this new post office as thankfully I can buy stamps from just about anywhere.”
by Http_404
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 6:14PM
“It's a slight slope *** hardly north face of the Eiger”
by IaninDerby
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 6:05PM
“I would have thought that, with some postal services being transferred to Nottingham, a site near the railway station would have been a good long term plan. Maybe the devil's in the detail?”
by brainsforall
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 5:58PM
“I have to agree with some of the comments already posted , whilst a new location will always cause issues with one section of the community or another , it does not look the best location.
What about the old empty Next shop, adjacent to HMV as a better location ? It was recently vacated by the City Council and was well used by the citizens of Derby , many of them I am sure would use the new Post Office , if located there too.
Also as a location , it is close to the Bus Station , main Taxi ranks and car parks . Therefore , Pensioners , others etc ,can either visit on the way to or from the Bus Station , Taxi ranks , car parks , pickup points etc. It would be easy to find and is 'on the flat' and adjacent to all the main shopping areas , so the footfall would be of a level that is required.
The local businesses would also use it more , I am sure , so they would help fund and sustain a new Post Office at this site ,this site then would not be empty . Lastly , if possible , I suggest the Post Office look at this again , as the other new site, for the above reasons , does not have the advantages of the site mentioned in East Street.”
by oscardoodle
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 5:46PM
“Why has the article got "modern" in inverted commas? Is it going to be modern? Or modern, but retro? Are the fittings modern but the service retro?
Ten tills- this is good news for the Babington Arms, as they will get the staff from eight of them all in at the same time for lunch. On the upside, if you want to sit down whilst queueing, you can use a sofa in the British heart foundation shop next door and pretend you're trying it out.
I assume the earlier start is for parcel collection- anyone experienced the queues at Midland road recently?
Here's looking forward to the ski-lift for the disabled trundling up St Peter's street.”