Post office bid delayed (From Gazette Series)

Post office bid delayed

THE FUTURE of the post office in Wotton-under-Edge is still not guaranteed after it was revealed by the person wanting to run the enterprise that financial problems had emerged.

Nick Wadey from Harvest Store, who hopes to run the relocated Post Office told the Gazette: "I'm hoping to sign the lease soon on the shop at 16 Long Street, but serious financial problems have emerged and there are still several bridges to cross before the Post Office is safe."

The relocation process had been given a boost when Stroud District Council granted planning permission for building works at the former Hales butchers shop in Long Street.

It is hoped that the shop will incorporate the post office, which was given notice to quit by Tesco after they took over the One-Stop Shop.

Planners granted permission for internal alterations to form a shop, two flats and one dwelling and the rebuilding of outbuildings to create three dwellings.

The maisonette over the shop will be converted into two flats; the office and meat preparation area will be converted into a two-bedroom cottage; the meat storage area will be a one-bedroom home; and the courtyard will also contain two new cottages.

Several conditions have been attached to the permission, by the council.

Materials and joinery must be approved; landscaping must be submitted; and a programme of archaeological work must be scheduled.

Also, permitted development rights on the site have been removed - in future, all developments, however small, will need planning permission.

Listed building consent is expected to be granted subsequently.

Co-owner Lyn Murray, from Bristol, said: "Hopefully, the listed building consent will be straightforward, and then it should be full steam ahead for the post office and our other plans."

The Post Office is also confident that relocation will take place.

Post Office spokesman Dane Panes said: "Things are progressing and we are fairly confident that a new Post Office will be up and running soon.

"The sticking point at the moment is whether we are going to be able to do that without a break in service but we are hopeful that we will be able to do that.

Tesco have been helpful in keeping the present premises open as long as they can but there will be a time when it is not possible for that to happen any more. We have to work as fast as we can to make sure we have somewhere in place when they need to close."