The Post Office wants to move its Uplands branch out of Uplands News and into the old Rainbow childrenswear shop 130 metres away. The empty boutique at 29 Uplands Crescent would be fully refurbished, with a convenience store alongside the counters.
The same postmaster would run it, and the Post Office says the opening hours, products and services would not change. The move is pencilled in for January or February next year.
That is the same window in which Swansea city centre loses its Post Office. The branch inside TGJones in the Quadrant closes on 22 February, and a replacement “can take around six months”.
Uplands was named as one of the four branches city centre customers should use in the meantime. The Post Office has not said whether the Uplands branch would shut for any period while it moves between the two shops.
From Gwydr Square to the old Rainbow shop next to The Bookshop
The branch is currently inside Uplands News at 4-6 Gwydr Square, the red-brick parade at the top of Uplands Crescent. The proposed new home is the turquoise-fronted former Rainbow boutique next door to The Bookshop cocktail bar, which the Post Office says is “currently empty”.
There would be two serving positions, one behind a screen and one open-plan counter. Inside there would be a hearing loop, a low-level serving desk and space for a wheelchair.
There is a step at the door. The Post Office says a permanent ramp would be installed, subject to planning permission, “to provide improved access for customers”.
Time-limited parking is available along Uplands Crescent, including disabled bays, with more on Uplands Terrace, and there is a bus stop outside the new premises. The walk from the current branch is “along varied terrain”, the Post Office says.
Hours stay at 8.30am to 6pm, and the postmaster wants a ‘modern’ shop
Opening hours would stay at 8.30am to 6pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, closed on Sundays. The Post Office says the same products and services would be available.
It says the move is the postmaster’s idea. “Our postmaster has identified an opportunity to move this branch into modern premises whilst continuing to offer Post Office services and retail alongside,” it said.
It added: “It is important that operators make the very best use of their resources to ensure future sustainability of both their business and the Post Office service.”
Ninety-seven per cent of Post Office branches are run this way, by a shopkeeper alongside their own business, the Post Office says. It has not said what happens to the Uplands News shop once the counters leave.
Two deadlines for having your say: 27 October in the announcement, 1 December on the website
The Post Office’s announcement on Wednesday gives 27 October as the day feedback closes. Its own consultation page, and the proposal letter sent to customers, say the consultation opened on 20 October and runs until 1 December, with a decision expected within four weeks of that.
Comments can be made online at postofficeviews.co.uk using the branch code 465642, by email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, by post to Freepost YOUR COMMENTS, or by calling 03452 66 01 15. The survey asks about getting to the new shop, getting into it and the layout inside.
Whichever date applies, the Post Office says its priority is “to safeguard our services in the locality in the longer term”.
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