BURTONWOOD Post Office is to re-open next Monday following concerns regarding vulnerable members of the community not being able to access vital benefits.
LiveWire has confirmed that the post office located within Burtonwood Library will re-open to the community on Monday 27 April, following partnership work with the council, operating on a reduced hours basis, every Monday and Thursday from 9am until 1pm.
A queuing system will be implemented outside with only one customer at a time allowed access to the building. Hand sanitiser gel will be available to customers at the entrance and exit point and at the service counter.
The move to re-open the post office comes after concerns were raised by local councillors about vulnerable members of the community requiring service to access vital benefits such as their pensions.
Warrington Borough Council deputy leader, Cllr Cathy Mitchell, was tasked with dealing with the issue and has worked closely with LiveWire and other partners to find a solution.
Cllr Mitchell said: “I have been working with colleagues at LiveWire and within the council on this matter and the dialogue has, at all times, been very positive. This is not something that the council has any control over and has always been a decision for the Post Office and LiveWire.
“I’d like to thank colleagues at LiveWire and at Warrington Borough Council for their efforts to come up with a solution that meets all relevant public health guidance and satisfies the Post Office that it can be safely re-opened.
“In the meantime, Burtonwood residents have been offered support using the Burtonwood & Winwick Community Bus on an individual basis in order to access other post offices nearby. The operation of the Community Bus includes use of full cleaning and social distancing in line with current public health guidance.”
While safety measures are in place to help meet social distancing guidelines, people are urged to only use the post office if it is absolutely essential, so that those who most need to use the service are able to do so.
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I would like to say a special thank you to Alex Abbey who has put so much effort into getting this far, even though very much delayed by the chiefs who could have had it open far earlier!