Post Office Limited has announced that the post office branch within the former Jhoots Pharmacy store in Ratcliffe Drive, Stoke Gifford is to be modernised into what it calls a ‘main style’ branch.
To allow work to be carried out, the branch will close on Saturday 11th June at 12.30pm and reopen on Monday 20th June at 1pm. Any unforeseen schedule changes requiring these dates to change will be displayed on posters at the branch.
According to the Post Office website, ‘main style’ branches “retain a dedicated post office counter, often open plan, in a brighter, more modern environment”. In addition, the majority of services continue to be available outside traditional hours — for as long as the host business is open — from the retail counter.
During the period of closure, customers are advised that nearby Post Office facilities are provided at the following branches:
- Little Stoke Post Office, 8 Kingsway, Little Stoke BS34 6JL
- Filton Post Office, 3 Church View, Filton BS34 7BT
Currently, post office services are provided from a small screened area in one corner of the shop. The remaining area of the shop is filled with empty shelving, left over from the former pharmacy business, which transferred to the nearby Stoke Gifford Medical centre some time ago.
Asked what is going to happen to the rest of the shop, a member of staff referred The Journal to the Jhoots head office, but no response could be obtained from them before the June BSJ magazine went to print.
A post made by Stoke Gifford councillor Keith Cranney on Streetlife provided the following further information:
The new Post Office will include a low-level serving counter and include a hearing loop. There will be three serving positions – one screened, one open plan and a postal serving point for use at the retail counter, available during shop opening hours.
The Post Office will include the same wide range of products and services that have previously been provided, with the addition of Car Tax.
The new trading hours will be extended as follows: 8.30am to 6.30pm Mon – Fri and 8.30am to 5.30pm on Saturday.
This article originally appeared in the June 2016 edition of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine, delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,500 homes in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
