TO SAY it was a long week as Stalybridge’s Post Office moved premises is somewhat of an understatement.
But just having hot water and a flushing toilet makes all the work more than worth it.
The facility has relocated from Trinity Street to the ground floor of The Hayloft around the corner on Dean Street.
Yes, there have been grumbles about it leaving its former site and parking, even though the previous arrangements apply.
But postmaster Brenda Brooks and daughter Leah have a simple message – without this, there would not have been a Post Office in Stalybridge town centre at all.
“We couldn’t have kept the post office in Stalybridge without this,” said Brenda. “It was as simple as that.”
Leah added: “It was going to close. The lease was up and the building was in disrepair.
“It was no longer fit for purpose, so we had to look at alternate premises. There was no hot water, no toilet.
“It was either we closed our franchise or we moved to more suitable premises that would have the longevity to keep the Post Office.
“We looked at about seven or eight other premises and parking was the main problem.
“It seems the general trend in Stalybridge at the minute is less parking, more pedestrianised.
“We looked at a place on Market Street, but that’s one way and there were literally three bays outside – no other parking, no loading, nothing.
“We tried to get into the Civic Hall and the library, they said they couldn’t accommodate us in there.
“Stalybridge Celtic offered us premises there because we’ve quite a good relationship with them.
“It was just too far out of the town centre, but if it hadn’t have been here, that was pretty much our only other option.
“But we came here just to see if it would work. It was the first day Barry and Nicole had the keys.
“So we were like, ‘Can we come and have a look as well?’ It’s actually worked out very well.”
Opening the new premises on Tuesday, August 24 was not without its hitches – having to lend stamps from Dukinfield as they had none was a teething problem.
But they will be overcome after a collaborative effort from businesses in Stalybridge, plus new landlords Barry and Nicole Mulholland, got the place open.
“It was about six weeks in one,” Leah added about setting up the new Post Office.
“We closed on Saturday the 15th at 12.30pm, then were literally here from 6am until 10pm every day. Right up until the night before opening.
“At the start of that week, it was an absolute shell. Barry has moved all the counters round, so we’ve been able to re-use them and we’d never have done it without him.
“And we’ve had lots and lots of help from the people at the Pound Buster shop. He’s actually sourced and brought my slatted walls and things like that.
“Twins Firwood Carpets have done the flooring, C&J Blinds have done the blinds, A&M Aesthetics have done the Perspex. Everybody’s been really, really helpful.”
The opening of the Post Office was certainly anticipated. The first customer turned up 20 minutes before the scheduled 9am slot and a queue meant they had to start serving early.
Even as they were working on the transformation, customers found their way.
Brenda added: “Something like this is massively needed in the area.
“They couldn’t believe how we’ve been working here. Od people negotiated two skips, two dustbins, and entered here. They were like, ‘Are you open?”
Incorporating the Post Office is just part of the Mulhollands’ plans for The Hayloft, which they are turning into a business hub alongside The Hair Sanctuary.
Nicole told The Correspondent: “Some are just starting out. Some have been here for 20 years.
“We have salons, nails, hair, eyebrows, lashes – there’s a charity that comes in and does sound baths – and an e-commerce business that came in because of the Post Office.
“We have a day room for small businesses that need to build the clientele but can’t afford extra time and space. We have that on a flexible basis.
“It may look small, but it isn’t. We didn’t know it was like this when we came to view it. We didn’t have any idea.
“But with Brenda and Leah coming just after we got the keys, it’s like the whole thing aligned.”