When will Chorley town centre get its post office back?

There is no indication of when a planned new post office will open in Chorley town centre – almost a fortnight after the previous branch closed down.
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The town’s main post office counter was based in the WH Smith store on Market Street until the retailer brought the shutters down for the final time on 15th January.

It was announced late last year that a new branch would be opening in the former Greenwoods store on Chapel Street.

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However, that outlet still bears the sign of its former occupant – and does not appear ready to start serving post office customers anytime soon.

The post office was based in WH Smith on Market Street until earlier this monthThe post office was based in WH Smith on Market Street until earlier this month
The post office was based in WH Smith on Market Street until earlier this month

The Post Office says that it hopes to restart its service in the town “as soon as possible”.

However, Malcolm Allen, chair of the local traders’ association, said it was “vital” for Chorley to get its post office back.

“A town the size of Chorley needs a post office – people are asking where it has gone. It’s particularly missed by residents from the villages who come into the town centre to do their shopping.

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“One of the alternatives on Devonshire Road is a 10-15 minute walk away,” Malcolm added.

A new post office branch is due to open in the former Greenwoods store on Chapel Street - but when?A new post office branch is due to open in the former Greenwoods store on Chapel Street - but when?
A new post office branch is due to open in the former Greenwoods store on Chapel Street - but when?

A Chorley resident of more than 50 years, who did not want to be named, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that it was “just not good enough” that there was no sign yet of when the post office would return to the heart of the borough.

“You can’t have a supposedly booming town without a town centre post office – people need all the different services they provide,” he said.

“We’re also losing the HSBC, where I bank, in July. They rang me just this week and said that I could do some of things I would normally do in the bank at the post office – except I can’t at the moment.”

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A spokesperson for the Post Office said: “We know how important a post office is to a community. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Chorley Post Office due to the resignation of the operator.

“We are working hard to restore a Post Office service to the area as soon as possible. In the interim, alternative branches include Devonshire Road, Bagganley [Eaves Lane] and Highways [Talbot Road, Euxton].”

Deputy leader of Chorley Council, Peter Wilson, added: “As we know, a post office is an important service for residents, [so] we have been assisting Post Office in finding alternative town centre premises as quickly as possible.

“It is unfortunate that we are temporarily without a town centre post office service – however, we remain in regular contact with [them] regarding progress on a new service becoming operational.

“We’ll provide updates as and when we can.”

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