Post Office rubbishes rumour about why Nuneaton's main branch is closed

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It has been closed for almost two weeks



The Post Office has rubbished rumours about why Nuneaton's main branch has been closed for almost two weeks.

It has vehemently denied claims that the postmaster at the branch in the Abbeygate Shopping Centre has quit.

But why the branch still remains closed remains a mystery.

As we reported in our newsletter, the branch closed on Friday, February 11 for what has been described as 'operational reasons'.

No further details have been provided on what these reasons are - other than the fact that it is linked to the Post Master.

"The Postmaster has not left," said a Post Office spokesman,

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused. We are trying to restore service as soon as possible. In the interim alternative branches include Queens Road, Tomkinson Road, Weddington, Tuttle Hill and Hill Top."

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Post Office working to restore Nuneaton branch services 'as soon as possible' as closure continues



Post Office bosses are working to restore Nuneaton branch services 'as soon as possible' as a closure continues.

It has now been almost three weeks since the main branch, based within the Abbeygate Shopping Centre, last opened.

The closure is causing much concern in the community as residents fear it may never return.

Nuneaton's MP Marcus Jones put these concerns to Laura Tarling, Post Office External Affairs Manager.

He revealed that he was told that the Post Office is working to re-open the branch.

"This has been closed temporarily due to operational issues, but I am assured that Post Office are working to restore services as soon as possible," Mr Jones said after the meeting.

Post Office remain tight-lipped about the 'operation reasons' why the branch remains closed, having previously denied that the Post Master had quit.

CoventryLive contacted the Post Office in regards to when the branch, which was closed on February 11, would be re-opening and asked again what the 'operational reasons' are behind its closure.

The same statement was provided again - with no explanation about why the branch remains closed.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “Nuneaton Post Office is temporarily closed for operational reasons since Friday, 11 February. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. We are trying to restore service as soon as possible. In the interim alternative branches include Queens Road, Tomkinson Road, Weddington, Tuttle Hill and Hill Top.”

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Post Office wall of silence as Nuneaton's main branch remains closed after almost six weeks



A wall of silence continues to surround the future of Nuneaton's main post office branch. The store has now been closed for almost six weeks.

The Abbeygate Shopping Centre branch closed with no warning on February 11 and it has remained that way ever since. With it about to be six weeks since it last served customers, residents have been left wondering if it will ever re-open again.

CoventryLive has made repeated attempts to find out from the Post Office about the situation - including the reason why it was closed and if it will be re-opened. We have continued to be hit by a wall of silence.

The Post Office has maintained its stance of staying tight-lipped about the 'operational reasons' why the branch remains closed. It has denied that the Post Master has quit.

In fact, it just re-issues the same statement when asked for an update on the situation. This statement reads: "Nuneaton Post Office is temporarily closed for operational reasons. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"We are trying to restore service as soon as possible. In the interim alternative branches include Queens Road, Tomkinson Road, Weddington, Tuttle Hill and Hill Top.”

While there is no movement for Nuneaton's main branch, CoventryLive understands that, across the A5, there is an advert for a new postmaster in Hinckley.

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Post Office confirms new location for main Nuneaton town centre branch

Post Office bosses have confirmed they are looking for new location for Nuneaton's main branch. The former unit in the Abbeygate Shopping Centre has not been open since the doors were closed suddenly almost two months ago.

CoventryLive has made numerous attempts to find out what is happening with the branch ever since due to the wall of silence around its future from the Post Office. Nuneaton's MP Marcus Jones previously said that he had held talks with the company and revealed it was looking to restore services 'as soon as possible'.

Now, after weeks of staying tight-lipped, the Post Office has confirmed it is looking for a new location. A spokesman told CoventryLive that they are looking for a new home - but it will be a temporary.

It is likely to be a pop-up branch but the location of this has not yet been revealed. A Post Office spokesman said: "I can confirm that we are looking at alternative locations in Nuneaton for a temporary Post Office."

An update on the location is expected as soon as the plans are confirmed.

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Nuneaton's main Post Office branch to re-open months after mystery closure



Nuneaton's main Post Office branch will reopen months after its mystery closure. The town centre has been without its main branch for months after it closed suddenly on February 11.

In a post on Twitter, Marcus Jones confirmed that the branch will re-open - at its old home.

In it, he reveals that the branch will re-open on Tuesday, May 17.

He also explains that Warwickshire County Council had offered the town's library as a venue to play home to the branch - but confirms it will re-open back in the Abbeygate Shopping Centre.

"I am pleased a town centre post office branch in Nuneaton will reopen in Abbeygate on 17th May," the tweet says.

"I have communicated to all parties the importance of a town centre branch and am grateful that Warwickshire County Council offered a temporary alternative location at Nuneaton Library."

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Post Office statement on sudden closure of main Nuneaton branch



Post Office bosses have issued a statement on why Nuneaton's main branch has suddenly closed. Doors to the town's main Post Office in the Abbeygate Shopping Centre were shut at the start of the week, much to the bemusement of shoppers.

The branch had only been open a matter of months after it had previously closed for 12 weeks. Now, customers have been left wondering if or when the branch will open again.

CoventryLive put these concerns to the Post Office. In a statement, the firm was unable to give any assurance that it would open again, simply saying the decision to close was taken by the operator and that they were 'in contact' with them.

The full Post Office statement reads: "We want to apologise to our customers for the sudden closure of Nuneaton Post Office which has been a decision taken by the operator of the branch.

"We are in contact with the operator. In the meantime, we encourage customers to use our branch on Queens Road which is a short walk away and is open between 6.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday and 6.30am and 1pm on Saturdays."

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Post Office in bid to secure future of Nuneaton's main branch

Post Office bosses are trying to get Nuneaton's main branch reopened by asking someone to run it. An advert has been published online looking for someone to take over the branch currently based in Abbeygate Shopping Centre.

As we reported in our newsletter, the doors to the town's main Post Office were shut at the start of September, much to the bemusement of shoppers. It was the second sudden closure in a matter of months after the town was left without a main branch service for three-months at the start of the year.

The advert reads: "We're seeking applicants to set up brand new Post Offices in this area. Post Office Ltd is looking for a successful retailer to either purchase or incorporate a Post Office Main into their existing or proposed business.

"Post Office Main branch – a dedicated Post Office area, a full range of services. The exact layout and design will be agreed with you to suit your business."

The closing date for all applications is December 9. For more information, visit the website here

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Pop-up post office to open at Nuneaton Library



Nuneaton will have a temporary main Post Office branch - in its library. The move has been made after the former branch in Abbeygate Shopping Centre closed suddenly several weeks ago. It is temporary solution while a permanent home for the main branch can be found.

The pop-up facility will be installed at the library on Monday and is due to open to the public at 9am the next day. The opening hours will be 10am to 5.30pm on Mondays, 9am to 5.30pm Tuesday to Thursday, 9am t 5pm on Fridays and 10am to 1pm each Saturday.

It will, therefore, provide 44 hours of Post Office services a week for the convenience of customers. Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones, who helped champion the arrangement, said: "I am pleased vital post office services will again be available to local residents in the town centre.

"And I am very grateful to Warwickshire County Council for their help. Hopefully Post Office customers will also take advantage of Library services too."

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Post Office reveals it will re-open main Nuneaton town centre branch in new location



Post Office bosses have confirmed that they will open a new branch in Nuneaton town centre. At the moment there is a temporary branch based within the town's library.

This was set-up in October last year after the old main branch, which was based within the Abbeygate Shopping Centre, closed. CoventryLive can confirm that the new branch will once again be based within the shopping centre, but in a new unit.

The Post Office has confirmed that it will be in unit 18 which, according to the Abbeygate's online map, is the former Supernews, which is based at the main entrance off Abbey Street. This former newsagents has stood empty since July 2021, when it closed suddenly.

The new Nuneaton Post Office will also boast a card and stationery store inside. There will be three Post Office counters, two full-screened and a Post Office counter alongside the retail counter.

It is set to open in July, and will be open longer than the current library hours. Until it is officially moved, the pop-up branch will remain in the library.

Anne Murphy, Post Office network provision lead, said: "We know how important a Post Office is to a community. We are very grateful for Warwickshire County Council providing us temporary space at Nuneaton Library whilst we worked towards a permanent solution at the Abbeygate Shopping Centre.

"We are keen to restore a permanent branch to the area as soon as possible, so we have decided to go ahead with our plans." The news of the town having a new permanent main branch has been welcomed by Nuneaton's MP Marcus Jones, who has been lobbying the Post Office to ensure that the town had a new branch.

“I have long campaigned for this and held numerous meetings with national representatives at the Post Office to ensure this would happen," the town's voice in Parliament said. “This is a valuable and much needed service for local residents in Nuneaton. It’s the right move and I’m very pleased."

Before the new branch is open, the Post Office is keen to hear residents' views. Customers can have their say during the consultation, which will run until June 8.

Comments can be made online at postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 243501, or via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, by post to Freepost or by telephone 03452 66 01 15 or Textphone 03457 22 33 55.

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Post Office wants your views on its plans for Nuneaton's new main post office

Post Office bosses have asked residents on how Nuneaton's new main post office should look. As we reported in our newsletter, the town will soon have a new, permanent main branch within the AbbeyGate Shopping Centre.

It will be based at former Supernews, which is in unit 18 at the front of the main entrance to the shopping centre off Abbey Street. It is understood that the main branch will be opened in July and the temporary branch will remain inside Nuneaton's Library until then.

Ahead of the new branch opening, the Post Office wants people's views on its layout. It has launched a public consultation that specifically asks customers want they want it to look like.

"Customers would access Post Office services at three serving positions in total; two screened and a low-screened, open-plan, modern serving point that’s part of the retail counter," the consultation reads.

"Working with the postmaster, we’d adapt the current store layout, fixtures and fittings to accommodate the Post Office till if needed. Whilst the decision has already been made to reopen this branch, we would still like your views on access at the new location.

"We welcome feedback that can help inform our plans and the questionnaire below asks for comments on the following areas: access into the new premises, access inside the new premises (Question and any further feedback on our plan."

The consultation is running until June 8 and comments can be made online or via post or phone. Comments can be made online at postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 243501, or via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, by post to Freepost or by telephone 03452 66 01 15 or Textphone 03457 22 33 55.

An online survey can also be found here

Yeah, of course they do. As if they haven't already decided?