PO for Sale

Appeared above Rhuthun’s post office like a red and yellow flag of surrender is a huge ‘Business For Sale’ notice. One of the most prominent buildings on St Peter’s Square and indeed one of the town’s most important businesses, the post office looks likely to change hands.

We’ve never entered the recent debate about post office closures. But who would buy a post office in the current climate? Normally, we would’ve assumed that with two post offices in the town at St Peter’s Square and Borthyn, if one had to go, it would be logical to assume the latter. Certainly, this appears to be the inference from the Post Office itself: the smaller would be the most threatened. Now, who knows?

There’s a trend these days for post offices to relocate within existing businesses. A prime example is in Yr Amwythig/Shrewsbury, where the crown post office on St Mary’s Street moved two years ago to within W H Smith.

Dare we consider the impossible? If the current business doesn’t sell, could we see it transfer to the Co-op, for example? Or slightly out-of-town Tesco? There are already examples of post offices within Tesco stores. What affect might this have on the town? What then would happen to the landmark building at the end of the Square?