The security screens are coming down at Marlborough Post Office, which will enjoy an open-plan look and longer operating hours following a two-and-a-half week revamp.
Responding to a request from Marlborough News Online, the Post Office sent a picture of a Southampton Post Office, which has already undergone its own transformation.
Marlborough will have four counters – two of them open-plan, and two behind screens.
There was also clarification from Post Office HQ in London about the out-of-hours services that would be provided by One Stop Shop.
Sheila Tapster, network transformation PR manager, explained: “A Post Office serving point will be at the retail counter, which offers selected services, during shop opening hours Monday to Sunday, 6am to 10pm.
“People can do the majority of transactions, but not high value transactions.”
As revealed by Marlborough News Online last week, the Post Office will be shut for two-and-a-half weeks – closing at 5.30pm on Tuesday, April 7 and reopening on Friday, April 24 at 1pm – while refurbishment works are carried out.
Marlborough News Online had pointed out that the lack of another Post Office in the town would make it difficult for residents – especially the elderly and those without private transport or access to the internet – to post parcels, collect pensions, and access government services.
Asked whether a pop-up service might be offered elsewhere in town, the Post Office responded by providing a list of alternative Post Offices – similar, but not as comprehensive – to the one we had already given readers.
“It takes time to set up a temporary service, therefore we do not set up a “pop-up” service for a short-term closure,” we were told.
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