Two city centre councillors have requested an urgent meeting after it was confirmed a 'much-needed' store is set to close in Liverpool ONE. Both the Post Office and its retail partner TG Jones - formerly WH Smith - confirmed its outlet on South John Street will shut in January next year.
Councillors oppose closure plans
Cllr Nick Small, the ward representative for City Centre North, confirmed via his social media that he had been contacted by the Post Office about the proposed closure, and was told the reason related to TG Jones 'restructuring' process which will see it close up to 150 stores across the UK.
Cllr Small wrote on his X account: "We have written to the Post Office today to oppose these plans and have offered to work with the Post Office to find an alternative at or near to Liverpool One."
"We would encourage City Centre North residents or anyone who uses Liverpool Post Office or cares about this vital public service to take part in the consultation."
We reached out to Cllr Small for an updated comment on the situation, he told us the Liverpool ONE Post Office is a much-used and much-needed outlet, adding: "While I understand that the decision is linked to the restructuring of TG Jones, the Post Office nevertheless have a responsibility to ensure that there's no reduction in service for those who currently use Liverpool Post Office.
"This Post Office is open seven-days-a-week and until 6pm six-days-a-week. The alternatives in Monument Place and St Johns Shopping Centre aren't open this long and aren't as accessible for the residents, shoppers, businesses, workers and visitors who come to Liverpool ONE.
"My ward colleague Christine Banks and I are demanding an urgent meeting with the Post Office to explore alternatives at or nearby Liverpool ONE."
Consultation opens and closure date confirmed
The consultation opened yesterday (Tuesday, October 6), and was accompanied by a letter addressed to customers, and published to the Post Office website titled: 'Branch Unplanned Closure', which stated: "Following the restructuring plan announcement by our retail partner TG Jones, some of their stores will close.
"Regrettably, Liverpool Post Office branch is affected by this restructuring and is due to close on Monday January 25, 2027."
"The provision of a Post Office service to our customers in the area is important to us, and we are working hard to find a solution to continue offering Post Office services to the local community in Liverpool.
"We are currently in the early stages of reviewing applications to run the Post Office branch and we will provide a further update on our plans as soon as possible."
We followed up with the Post Office to ask about the proposed store closure and it confirmed the decision was related to TG Jones 'restructuring plan'.
A spokesperson added: “The vacancy has already been advertised, and we have heard from interested retailers. We are now looking more closely at the expressions of interest.
"We want to open a replacement branch as soon as possible, but this can take around six months. In the interim alternative branches will be Central Village and Monument Place.”
Cllr Small has encouraged anyone who cares about "this vital public service" to take part in the consultation and offer their feedback. For those interested in doing so, people can submit comments to comments@postoffice.co.uk
TG Jones responds to closure
In terms of the TG Jones store the Liverpool ECHO contacted the retailer for a comment and a spokesperson told us: "As we work to secure the long-term future of TG Jones, we have confirmed that our Liverpool shop will close.
"We know this will be disappointing news for our colleagues, customers and the local community. Our focus now is on supporting those affected and continuing to serve customers throughout the closure period.
"We would like to thank all of our colleagues for their commitment and the contribution they have made to TG Jones."
