MANOR Lane Post Office is set to re-open in October this year – next door to its old location.
The Halesowen branch which was based at the Co-op in 14 Manor Lane closed temporarily in April last year, but the Post Office has today announced Manor Pharmacy, at number 12, has agreed to take on the service.
Due to open on Wednesday, October 3, at 1pm, the new post office will have extended opening hours of 9am until 6.30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am until 1pm on Saturday – an additional five hours and 30 minutes of services each week, compared to when the previous post office location was open.
The old location of Manor Lane Post Office, left, and the new location at Manor Pharmacy, right. Pic: Google Street
When plans were for the new post office was announced in January, a public consultation was held as well as a petition in support of the proposal.
The main respondents welcomed the restoration of post office services – which will be offered from two tills alongside the pharmacy’s retail counter – to the local community.
While other feedback did question whether there would be enough room within the pharmacy to accommodate a post office, as well as concerns regarding the availability of parking.
Mathew Wilkes, Post Office’s area network change manager, said: “We have reviewed parking and we can confirm that there is off road parking in front of the store, as well as roadside parking in close vicinity of the new branch.
“We are therefore satisfied that parking will continue to meet the needs of customers using the post office.
“The new-style branch will be built in line with post office specifications to ensure sufficient space for the new style local post office to operate alongside the retail offer.
“We are making it easier for customers to get their cash, send and collect their mail and do their banking because we know how important these services are to local residents.
“We are confident that this vibrant new-style post office at the heart of the local community will meet customer needs.
“This modernisation is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the post office and will secure services for the future.”
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