POST Office services in Cirencester will finally be moving into WHSmith, despite contention over the proposal.

The Post Office in town, which is currently situated opposite Coffee#1, will be moving its branch into WHSmith in Castle Street on June 8.

The last day of service at the current branch is June 7.

The new branch, which will be operated by the store, will continue to provide the same services and customers will be able to benefit from the longer opening hours, including Sundays. 

Roger Gale, Post Office’s sales and trade marketing director, said the change would help to ensure the branch is commercially viable and protect Post Office services. 

He said: “Our customers’ needs continue to change and we are responding to that, taking the right action to sustain our services for years to come.

“We are committed to remaining on high streets and at the heart of communities and we are making changes right across our network to enable us to do so."

The new branch will have four serving positions and two self-service kiosks, with opening hours from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 2pm on Sundays.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

(Cirencester Post Office will be moving to WHSmith in Castle Street)

A public consultation over the proposed move was launched in January.

In an online poll by the Standard around that time, 61 per cent of voters said they would not be happy if Cirencester Post Office was moved into WHSmith, with 39 per cent saying they were content with the move.

News that Post Office branches across the country could be privatised surfaced in January last year, with the Communication Workers Union (CWU) "vigorously opposing" the plans.

The CWU said that around 1,000 workers would face redundancy, redeployment or transfer of employment.

Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown also spoke against the proposal in the House of Commons in November and in February, Cotswold Labour launched a campaign against the move.

What do you think about the news that the Post Office will be moving to WHSmith? To speak to a journalist, call 01285 627319 or email ann.yip@wiltsglosstandard.co.uk.