Rye’s Post Office is on the move into the next door Jempson’s supermarket, but it will be an enlarged and refurbished supermarket with an open plan Post Office which is open for longer hours as part of widespread changes in the Post Office network.
The move into the supermarket could mean opening hours extended by over 40 hours a week and is part of a major modernisation programme designed to make it easier for Post Office customers to do business through longer opening hours and modern environments.
Post Office Regional Network Manager (South) Will Russell said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in Rye and we are confident that this new modern Post Office will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.
“The modernisation is part of a major investment programme to convert the Post Office network to new-style branches. This investment, the largest in the history of the Post Office, makes a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”
The new Rye Post Office will have three serving positions – a mixture of two open-plan counters and one screened position – and customers will benefit from opening hours being extended by 42 hours a week, including Saturday afternoon. The branch would open significantly earlier and close much later each day. The new opening hours will be Monday to Saturday 6am to 10pm.
The date of the relocation is to be confirmed. The supermarket is being extended to accommodate the Post Office and the whole retail premises are being refurbished to provide a modern fresh environment for customers. The Post Office will be working closely with operator Jempson’s in the design of the new branch to make sure the internal layout provides adequate space and privacy for Post Office customers.
The Post Office, now independent of Royal Mail, is the largest retail network in the UK, with over 11,500 branches. It is also one of the fastest growing financial services companies and is developing its online and telephony services.
(Source: The Post Office)