Morrisons’ buyout secures future of town centre post office

THE supermarket giant Morrisons buyout of the convenience store and newsagent chain, McColl’s, has been welcomed in Westbury as the future of the town centre post office looks secure.  

Earlier this week, it was announced that McColl’s was on the brink of collapse, sparking fears in the town about the future of the post office which is contained within the store. 

McColl’s was put into administration on Monday and was immediately sold to supermarket group, Morrisons, who have agreed to take on all McColl’s shops, totalling 1,160, with the retention of all 16,000 staff. 

As news broke of the collapse of the McColl’s chain, a statement from the Post Office said, “McColl’s has been a longstanding partner for Post Office, providing local communities across the country with access to our products and services. We have been aware of the challenges faced by McColl’s and over the last several months we have undertaken considerable work and contingency planning to minimise the impact on customers should any branches be affected.”  

Speaking on the takeover of McColl’s by Morrisons, cllr Gordon King said, “I am pleased with the news, as any move to get rid of the post office would be detrimental to the town and would alienate a large selection of people, in particular older people who use it to deal with their pensions and also for anyone who wants to send a parcel or package overseas and keep in touch with loved ones.”