Redcar: Search for new home for high street post office after closure plans confirmed
Efforts are being made to find a new home for Redcar’s main post office which is closing in another blow to the town’s high street.
The post office is to shut in September as a result of the planned closure of the TG Jones store which houses the facility at the back of the premises.
TG Jones was formerly known as WH Smith until a rebrand last year, following its acquisition by Modella Capital, although the historic WH Smith brand remains in use at airport and train stations.
TG Jones previously warned that a major overhaul would be required to save the business due to tough trading conditions, putting up to 150 stores across the UK and jobs associated with them at risk.
A petition against the Redcar closure hasbeen set up on the change.org website with the aim of gathering 500 signatures.
A Post Office spokeswoman explained: “TG Jones had its restructuring plan approved by the High Court on 1 July, which includes seeking new commercial terms with landlords for the majority of their estate.
“Consequently, TG Jones is looking to close their Redcar store.
“Regrettably, Redcar Post Office is due to close on Thursday 3 September.”
Redcar and Cleveland Council leader Alec Brown said the post office was “much needed”, but that there had already been a couple of expressions of interest in relocating it elsewhere.
Writing on Facebook, local businessman Rafael Petros Kaldani said he would be interested in moving it to his store nearby, the Go Local Extra in Station Road.
Meanwhile, some residents reacting online suggested the post office should be situated at ‘The Lookout’ – the Town Deal funded project between the High Street and Esplanade, which will house a new library and entertainment facilities.
The Post Office spokeswoman confirmed the expressions of interest and said: “We know how important our products and services are to the local community.
“[Therefore] we want to open a replacement branch as soon as possible.”
Several staff working in both the post office and the store, who are all employees of TG Jones, are to lose their jobs.
A Facebook post from a manager at the post office said: “There has understandably been a lot of anger and concern about the post office closing, but I feel we’ve also forgotten about the amazing staff who work in the shop.
“If you own or manage a business in Redcar and are looking to recruit, please consider popping into TG Jones and speaking to the team.
“They are a brilliant group of people with years of retail and customer service experience, and many will be looking for new opportunities due to redundancy.
“Let’s do what we can as a community to help these hardworking staff find their next jobs.”
The nearest remaining post offices are in Redcar Lane, Redcar, just under a mile away, or in Ennis Square, Dormanstown, about 1.8 miles away.
Residents can bank and pay bills also at a banking hub within Redcar civic centre, about a third of a mile away on Ridley Street.
The town’s original post office was based in premises in Cleveland Street, which, after its closure, was turned into a gym.