Poole post office gets a makeover – and longer opening times (From Bournemouth Echo)

Poole post office gets a makeover – and longer opening times

2:00pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in News By Joanna Codd

‘GOOD NEWS’: Oakdale post office and, inset, Cllr Peter Adams

NEWS that a Poole post office is to be modernised and have its opening hours increased to more than 44 hours a week have been welcomed.

The Oakdale Post Office in Wimborne Road will be temporarily closed for refurbishment at 5.30pm on Wednesday, April 17 and is due to reopen at 9am on Saturday, April 27.

It is one of 6,000 post offices around the country being turned into a “new style” branch, with two screened counter positions and a Post Office serving point at the retail counter.

Tony Jones, regional network manager for Wales and West of England, said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in this area of Poole and we are confident that this new modern service will meet the community’s needs.

“This modernisation is part of a three-year investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office, and the investment makes a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”

After the reopening, trading hours will almost double, with the branch open from 5.30am to 7.30pm Monday to Saturday and from 5.30am to 2.30pm on Sunday. Post Office services will be available during these hours.

The Post Office, now independent of Royal Mail, represents the largest retail network in the UK, with more than 11,500 branches.

Ward councillor Peter Adams, portfolio holder for social services and housing, said: “It’s good news for Oakdale. We’ve always been nervous that the branch might be axed.

“It’s in an area where there’s a lot of retired people and will be very much welcomed by them. I think it’s very much needed.”

While the refurbishment is taking place, the nearest alternative branches will be Longfleet Post Office in the Dolphin Centre and Poole Post Office inside W H Smith, Falkland Square.