There are still five days for residents to comment on proposed changes to Post Office services at the Sutton One Stop.  You can take part in the consultation here.

I’ve just added my comments.  This is what I said in response to the questions asked.

“I use this Post Office predominantly to post parcels, mail shots and large letters; buy postage stamps; and withdraw cash.  I like the convenience of the location; the usually short queues; and the friendly, knowledgeable and helpful staff.

Extended hours of access to Post Office services would be helpful.  However, I am concerned at the proposal to locate Post Office tills on the retail counter, as this affords little privacy to customers enquiring about personal financial matters. It may also lengthen waiting times and increase queue volumes at the main retail counter which can already be lengthy on some occasions.  I would also be very concerned at losing the facility to collect missed parcels or letters from Sutton rather than going to Ely.  And while dedicated Post Office counters usually have plenty of postage stamps, retail tills often run short of the books of 6 or 12, or of first or second class stamps altogether.  I do sometimes buy the books of 100 stamps and not being able to do this will be mildly irritating.

Longer opening hours will be useful; it would be even better to have these without loss of service.

The greatest loss would be no longer being able to collect parcels or missed letters from the local branch; it is not clear whether residents will be able to continue to do this.

I would hope that any disruption to services during the transition would be kept to the absolute minimum.  Many residents do not drive, and though there is a bus to Ely in the daytime this will be inconvenient for some.”