Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps has officially re-opened the new Post Office in Welwyn Garden City, a year after the previous Post Office abruptly closed leaving many residents without essential postal services.
After a tireless campaign, which included handing over a 1,000 plus strong petition to Post Office Ltd and illustrating why replacing the service was essential, Grant cut the ribbon on the new branch. The new location is just 100 metres on from the old one in McColls’ at 43 Howardsgate.
Post Office services are provided from two open-plan counters alongside the retail counter throughout the store’s opening hours Monday to Saturday: 6am – 8pm; Sunday: 7am – 8pm.
This is an extra 45 hours and 30 minutes a week than before, including Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday. The branch now opens significantly earlier and closes much later. The branch re-opening and extended hours make it far more convenient for customers to visit.
After officially opening the Post Office, Grant commented: “It was a huge loss to the town when the WGC Post Office suddenly closed. This is great news for local residents who strongly campaigned with me for the service to be restored. I would like to thank McColls for agreeing to open a Post Office, as the convenience store is ideally placed. I am also delighted with the extended opening hours.”
McColls Retail Branch Manager, Paul Jeeves, said: “Customers are really pleased to have a Post Office in Welwyn Garden City town centre again. Many have brought staff gifts to show their appreciation and the staff have decided to hold a raffle of these presents to raise money for a charity called Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
“The community is also chuffed that their new Post Office is now open seven days a week and longer hours than before. It is also good news for the shop as we now have more customers. So everyone benefits. There is a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.”
