Tattenhall Post Office – Use it, or Lose it – Keep our High Street Vibrant

You will all recall the closure of the Post Office in Pluto House, followed by the single use counter service located in the Spar Store, and then the re-instatement of the Post Office back in its rightful home 'Pluto House'.

You will also recall our outrage within the village when the Post Office came under the threat of intruders earlier this month (that story alone received over 2,300 hits).

The WI, with the help of MP Antoinette Sandbach, together with the efforts of many Tattenhallers, worked hard with Thom and Lesley Morton and the Post Office, to convince the Royal Mail that the Post Office be re-instated at Pluto House.

It is rare indeed for the Royal Mail to reverse its decisions. It is absolutely vital, therefore, that the Post Office receives as much trade as possible to make the business sustainable in the long term and that it successfully contributes to the vibrancy of Tattenhall High Street.

In addition to the usual sending of mail, inland and abroad, Lesley Morton offers a wide range of Post Office services. Several such services are Road Tax, the banking of cheques and the withdrawal of cash, the purchase of euros, the dispatch/return of all those online purchases with their special labels(!), as well as advice and execution of on-line marketing and also obtaining (as obscure as it might seem) fishing licences!

The gift shop shop attached to the Post Office stocks quite the most distinctive selection of quality cards, wrappings, fine tissue papers, ribbons, gift bags and stationery. The selection of occasion cards is astonishing in a village of our size with Lesley stocking the imaginative and beautiful designs of 'Caroline Gardner', one of the UK's leading designers, and those of 'Woodmansterne', who aim to reflect British culture and taste whether through the magic of Quentin Blake's illustrations, the beauty of the National Trust images or the humour of Punch cartoons. There is also a section devoted to 'Alex Clark', the animal images being really popular with the youngsters in the village and with animal lovers generally.

There is even a colour photo-copying service within the Post Office (copying up to A3 size), not to mention a wide range of local tourist guides, community information, maps etc.

The Women's Institute passes resolutions most years.

We never allow them to fade away until completely successful.

The reinstatement of the Post Office comes under the broad heading of 'Keep the High Street VIBRANT'.

Ruth McPhillips.