LiveWire has confirmed that the post office located within Burtonwood Library is to re-open next week, following partnership work with the council.
The post office re-opens to the community on Monday 27 April, operating on a reduced hours basis, every Monday and Thursday from 9am until 1pm.
A queuing system will be implemented outside with only one customer at a time allowed access to the building. Hand sanitiser gel will be available to customers at the entrance and exit point and at the service counter.
The move to re-open the post office comes after concerns were raised by local councillors about vulnerable members of the community requiring service to access vital benefits such as their pensions.
Warrington Borough Council deputy leader, Cllr Cathy Mitchell, was tasked with dealing with the issue and has worked closely with LiveWire and other partners to find a solution.
Cllr Mitchell said: “I have been working with colleagues at LiveWire and within the council on this matter and the dialogue has, at all times, been very positive. This is not something that the council has any control over and has always been a decision for the Post Office and LiveWire.
“I’d like to thank colleagues at LiveWire and at Warrington Borough Council for their efforts to come up with a solution that meets all relevant public health guidance and satisfies the Post Office that it can be safely re-opened.
“In the meantime, Burtonwood residents have been offered support using the Burtonwood & Winwick Community Bus on an individual basis in order to access other post offices nearby. The operation of the Community Bus includes use of full cleaning and social distancing in line with current public health guidance.”
While safety measures are in place to help meet social distancing guidelines, people are urged to only use the post office if it is absolutely essential, so that those who most need to use the service are able to do so.
The post office, within Burtonwood Library, has been closed since the Government ordered the closure of public buildings, including community libraries.
While the post office will be open on Mondays and Thursdays, the library will remain closed as per government guidelines and no library services will be available, other than those that are currently available online.
For the latest information on coronavirus in Warrington, please visit warrington.gov.uk/coronavirus
