Stamp of approval (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Stamp of approval

8:32am Friday 14th March 2008 in News By James Wallin

SWINDON'S main post office has opened its doors - in WHSmith in Regent Street.

The old Sanford Street branch closed for the last time at 5.30pm last Thursday.

And the new branch opened for business yesterday morning.

New customers seemed to be generally positive about the new look post office and its central location.

But there were fears that long queues queues could cause havoc at peak times such as pension days and Christmas.

Sales assistant Clive Valere, 32, from the town centre, said: "I think it's started very well.

"They're giving a good service and it looks nice.

"I think the advertising was good at the old store, because they made sure you knew the post office was going to move.

"It's a good location, on the main road, which is much more convenient than being round the back of town."

Laurence Stemson, a 63-year old organ tuner, from David Murray John Tower, said: "I don't think it's a good idea, although it's worked quite well today.

"But just wait until pension day - it'll be packed in here.

"And as for Christmas you get massive queues in here anyway, so what's going to happen when you add the post office queue to that?"

Alan Clark, 48, from Liden, said: "The service has been good today so I'm quite happy.

"It doesn't really bother me that they've moved the post office, just as long as there is one."

Josephine Falkingham, 70, from Walcot, said: "I'm not particularly sad about the post office in Sanford Street closing but it was a shame when the one before that closed.

"I did miss that one."

Kerry Doyle, a 23-year-old from West Swindon, said: "The service was very good today but then it is quite quiet.

"Who knows what will happen when the post office and WHSmith both get busy?"

Ceri James, a business development manager with the Post Office, said: "Customers always worry about pension day and Christmas.

"At those busy periods we will ensure that we have more than enough staff to cope with the demand."

WHSmith regional manager Ian Rowley said: "I think the response has been positive from customers so far. We have good comments about the look and the amount of physical space.

"People do worry about pension day and we will have the staff to reflect that.

"As for Christmas, it's actually one of the quietest periods for the post office but, again, we will ensure we have enough staff to cope with demand."