3:30pm Thursday 2nd July 2009
By James Nadal
ROYAL Mail intend to keep the temporary Post Office in Marlow town centre for another three years, it was revealed this week.
It has lodged plans to keep the amenity in Dean Street car park until July 2012.
The structure was erected in February 2008 following the closure of the old High Street branch in 2007.
A retrospective application for the building was submitted to Wycombe District Council on Monday.
However, it is possible a new permanent home for the service could be found before 2012.
Newly elected Bucks County Councillor and former mayor Richard Scott revealed discussions had taken place with WDC to incorporate it into the area information office - if it is relocated.
A move is being considered as part of cost cutting measures announced last year.
Residents, businessman and councillors have said the current facilities are not adequate.
The amenity was last week labelled as a “third world shack” by Canadian visitors.
Martin Spittle, 61, an accountant at Colston Bush in Chapel Street uses the Post Office frequently for business.
He said: “I quite accept what the Canadians said, it's not up to the standard you would expect for a market town like Marlow.
“It's difficult with the queueing arrangement, quite often you are queuing outside which is not very satisfactory.
He said the current set up is not professional and the building is not large enough.
Customers have an uncomfortable experience because the building is “freezing” in the winter, “boiling” in the summer and users sometimes have to line up in the rain due to the lack of space, he said.
Mr Spittle added: “I think they could make a better job of it.”
Jo Braybrooke, executive member of the Marlow Chamber of Trade, said: “It's better than nothing frankly but it's not ideal.
"As far as the chamber is concerned we want a proper Post Office.”
Marlow Town Councillor Suzanne Brown said: “I don't think it's sufficient but needs must at the moment.
“I was in there the other day and there was a hell of a queue. It's not really big enough to support the area.
“The problem is that it's not financially viable on it's own, it's got to be combined with something else.
Cllr Brown said: “In these difficult times we have got rents which are quite high and it doesn't work.”
She added: “The best option we have is to merge with other facilities.”
Derek Done from the Marlow Society said: “The view has always been that we need a site for the Post Office.
"Obviously we need a Post Office but it's difficult to believe this is the only solution.”
Commenting on the possibility of a shared postal service and information centre Wycombe District Council spokesman Catherine Spalton said:
“We are investigating the possibility of relocating the Marlow Information Centre from its current location on the High Street to another venue in Marlow and would ask any local community organisation interested in sharing premises with us to contact us directly.”
Post Office Ltd spokesman Nick Martens said: "In line with council requirements we have submitted a backdated planning permission application which will expire in 2012.
“We remain determined to provide post office services in Marlow and the present facility enables us to do so".
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