Chorley Post Office is set to relocate to the former Greenwoods shop

Chorley Post Office is set to move into a vacant town centre shop.
WH Smith and Chorley Post Office on New Market StreetWH Smith and Chorley Post Office on New Market Street
WH Smith and Chorley Post Office on New Market Street

Chorley Post Office is set to move into a vacant town centre shop.

It is understood the Post Office - currently housed in the WH Smith store which will close next month - is to relocate to the former Greenwoods menswear store.

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The Greenwoods store on Chapel Street shut after the company went into administration in 2017.

The company was bought out by Versatile International Trading Limited but a number of stores, including Chorley, did not survive.

Attempts have been made to find a new location for Chorley’s main Post Office which will close in January.

The search for premises follows the impending closure of the WH Smith store om New Market Street in mid-January.

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In August, WH Smith warned that 1,500 jobs - 11 per cent of its workforce - were under threat after the first lockdown resulted in a drop in sales.

A WH Smith spokesperson told the Guardian last month: “We can confirm that the WH Smith store in Chorley will be closing in January when the lease expires. We’d like to thank all our local customers for shopping with us.”

A Post Office spokesperson added: “The operator for Chorley Post Office has resigned and the branch is due to close at its current location on the 15 January.

“We know how important a Post Office is a community. The vacancy has been advertised and there is an interested retailer. We are currently considering their application. Any move would be subject to public consultation.”

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Coun Alistair Bradley, Leader of Chorley Council, said “It’s disappointing that WH Smiths is closing and we feel for the staff that will be affected by this particularly at this time of year.

“We are keen to do as much as we can to help keep the Post Office in Chorley town centre as we know it is an important service for many residents.

“We are assisting Post Office Counters and the new sub-postmaster in relation to suitable town centre premises and we’ll share updates as and when we can.”

The Post Office on Cleveland Street relocated to the WH Smith store, downgrading to counters and self-service kiosks inside, following a public consultation several years ago.

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