New joint home for Marlow Post Office and information centre (From Bucks Free Press)

New joint home for Marlow Post Office and information centre

12:17pm Thursday 26th November 2009 in News By James Nadal

MARLOW'S information centre will move to a new home in early 2010 and looks set to be joined by the post office.

The centre offering tourist information will move down the High Street to a premise on the corner of Institute Road, Wycombe District Council has announced.

The council has already signed the lease.

The same property - 55a Institute Road - is also the post office's proposed new location.

Currently the service operates from a temporary building in Dean Street car park, which was labelled a “third world shack” by Canadian tourists earlier this year.

The council said consultations with Royal Mail and local post office operators are “well advanced” and it hopes a decision will be made early next year The move is part of budget saving measures.

It estimates the move will save £29,000 per year for a one off set up cost of £25,000.

Parking is widely available either at the one hour bays outside or pay and display car park, the council said.

Wycombe District Council Deputy Leader cllr Tony Green said: "The new premises for the information centre are good news for residents and visitors in Marlow.

“By moving to Institute Road we will not only deliver cost savings for local people but also maintain a central location which will continue to serve both the local community and visitors well.”

The Post Office said safeguarding the new amenity would offer “ a bright modern, spacious environment and a hearing loop.”

Customers will be able to use the same services offered at the moment, including collecting benefits in cash.

The Post Office released a statement which said:“This relocation of Marlow Post Office allows us to improve existing facilities and maintain access to Post Office service in the local area.”

A public consultation will now take place, which runs until Friday January 15. To take part wrtie to Post Office Limited c/o National Consultation Team, PO Box 2060, Watford, WD18 8ZW, e-mail consultation@postoffice.co.uk, or call 08457 22 33 44.