Chorley Crown Post Office to close and become counter service in WHSmith

The Crown Post Office, Cleveland Street, will be downgraded to counters and self-service kiosks inside WHSmith, New Market Street, following a public consultation.

The council and town’s MP have slammed the move calling for a re-think on the decision. But the Post Office reassured the new branch will continue to provide the same services.

Roger Gale, of the Post Office, said: “Our customers’ needs continue to change and we are responding to that, taking the right action to sustain our services.”

He said they will also be applying for parking near the store, as it was a highlighted issue during the consultation.

“We are committed to remaining on high streets and at the heart of communities.”

Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle said he is ‘appalled’ by the decision, and believes WHSmith will not be sufficient. He said: “I do not believe the Post Office has listened to the responses to the consultation.”

Mr Hoyle has contacted the relevant minister to ask for the decision to be put on hold.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council, said he is also ‘annoyed’ and is urging them to reconsider the ‘regrettable decision’.

The branch will close after trading on August 24 and open in WHSmith on August 25.

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