A PROPOSAL has been made to relocate the town centre Post Office and create a new branch at Church Square Shopping Centre.

The plan, announced by the Post Office, is to move the branch on Bridge Street to 21 Lagrange Arcade.

The branch would be run by a new retail partner, with extended opening hours, including Saturday afternoons.

Under the proposals, the services at the new branch would offer the same services and will include everyday banking for the UK’s high street banks, online shopping returns and collections and foreign exchange.

The Post Office would be in a dedicated area within a newly refurbished convenience store, with five serving positions.

Its opening hours would be 9am to 5.30pm from Mondays to Saturdays. This would mean the branch is open 30 minutes earlier than currently on Tuesdays and for an extra five hours on a Saturday.

St Helens Star:

The Bridge Street branch would relocate under the plans Pic: Robbob

The Post Office’s network and sales director Roger Gale said: “The vast majority of our 11,500 Post Offices, large and small, are successfully operated on a franchise basis with retail partners.

"We believe this is the best approach to keeping Post Offices in main shopping locations and at the heart of communities where they play an important role in local economies.”

Mr Gale added: “We believe our proposal is the most effective way to secure the long term viability of Post Office services for years to come.”

A public consultation on the proposals has started and will run until May 15.

It is proposed to open the new branch in August 2019.