COUNCILLORS have expressed "serious concerns" over the relocation of the town centre's post office.

The Star reported in April that the Post Office was proposing to move the branch on Bridge Street to Church Square Shopping Centre.

READ MORE > Proposals to move town centre Post Office

A consultation on plans was held until Wednesday this week (May 15).

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

The Post Office says 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 branch 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, meaning the branch is open 30 minutes earlier than currently on Tuesdays and for an extra five hours on a Saturday.

However, Labour councillors have raised concerns over the proposal for the Post Office to be run by an independent operator as part of a convenience store.

Cllr Richard McCauley, cabinet member for economic regeneration and housing, said: “As Labour councillors, we are opposed to the privatisation of this essential public service.

"We have serious concerns about the long term impact of this strategy on the Post Office network across the country, as well as the immediate impact on customers and employees.

"It is highly likely that the new management will seek to employ staff on lower wages, and they may not be as experienced with working with vulnerable residents who rely on the Post Office.

“We have asked the Post Office to commit to maintaining a full service in St Helens town centre, if their new retail partner encounters financial difficulties, and to ensure that the proposed increase in opening hours is a permanent change.

“We want a thriving Post Office to be at the heart of our plans to regenerate St Helens town centre, a key priority for the council. Instead of Tory privatisation, the Labour Party has ambitious plans to set up a Post Bank based in the Post Office network at the heart of our communities. This would help revitalise our High Streets and provide residents with face-to-face, affordable banking services.”

When contacted by the Star, a Post Office spokesman said: "We are now reviewing and considering all of the feedback we received.

"We will let the community know once we have reached a final decision."

When asked about the jobs at the St Helens Post Office branch, a spokesperson said: “We will be talking to the St Helens branch team about their potential options.

"Employees have the right to transfer their employment in line with TUPE legislation if a decision is made to franchise their branch, there might also be opportunities for redeployment or voluntary settlement.”