The Central Edinburgh Post Office will definitely be moving from the St James Shopping Centre to Princes Mall. On hearing the news, Mark Lazarowicz MP called for the Post Office to make a commitment to seek to move back once the redevelopment of the St James Centre is completed and in the meantime to make sure that the other post offices in the area are able to meet the needs of customers.
Mark Lazarowicz said:-“Given the announcement that the redevelopment of the centre will now be going ahead I can understand the decision to move the central Post Office to Princes Mall but I believe that should only be temporary while the redevelopment takes place.
“I am urging the Post Office to make a commitment to seek to move back into the centre once it is finished and in the meantime to ensure that facilities in Princes Mall are as accessible as possible for elderly and disabled customers.
“Self-service machines could continue to be located in the St James Centre until the redevelopment begins and facilities at other post offices in the area like Elm Row and Frederick Street should be enhanced to ensure they can cope with larger numbers of customers if some people switch to using them instead.”
“A Post Office should be part of the plans for the new St James Centre if it is to meet all of the retail needs of local residents.”
The Post Office announcement confirmed its decision on the move after a consultation to which Mark Lazarowicz MP made a submission stressing these points. The consumer watchdog, Consumer Futures, also expressed its concern over the move, in particular over access at the proposed site in Princes Mall for customers with limited mobility needs.
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