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26 January 2012
The new owner is V and B Retail Limited of Derbyshire, and in addition to a post office, it will also be running a convenience store in the building situatedon The Delph.
The premises were previously owned by Tamworth Co-operative Society, which operated a post office and clothes store for many years despite having to subsidise the operation from other areas of its business. The Society was recently praised by South Derbyshire District Council for agreeing to continue to operate the town’s post office for several extra months to allow efforts to find a new owner to continue. The employees who stayed on to run the postal service will all retain their jobs.
Patrick Connolly, speaking on behalf of V and B Retail Limited, said he was delighted that the company has successfully reached an agreement.
"I'm sure this announcement will come as excellent news to the people of Swadlincote and I know there has been some anxiety about the future of the post office in the local community.
“It is therefore marvellous to be able to announce such positive news and I hope that local people will show their support by using these facilities and also the new food store which will be located in the same building. We are honoured to locate our offices in Swadlincote and hope to bring a number of employment opportunities to the town.”
He added: "We have successfully combined convenience stores with post office services at various locations in Derbyshire and we are confident that the people of Swadlincote will be more than happy with these two new facilities in the town.”
V and B Retail Limited will initially lease the premises prior to purchasing the building later in the year.
Julian Coles, chief executive of Tamworth Co-operative Society, said the outcome was excellent for all parties, including the people of Swadlincote.
“Although the process of securing a new owner took longer than we envisaged, this is excellent news all round. The fact that we agreed to run the post office for an extra period of time, demonstrates our commitment to the community.
“On behalf of the Society, I would like to wish V and B Retail Limited the very best of luck for their new venture and I would also like to put on record my thanks to Mr Frank McArdle, chief executive of South Derbyshire District Council, for all the help we received from the local authority.”
Mr McArdle described the agreement as the ‘culmination of many months of negotiations involving several interested parties’.
“I am delighted that the objective – to infuse The Delph area with a vibrant business and retail experience – has been achieved. This will add to the footfall in the heart of the town and, more importantly, continue to provide a vital service to the public in the form of the post office.
“The Council is extremely grateful to Tamworth Co-op for keeping the faith and to the Post Office for its resolve to always maintain a presence in one of the fastest growing towns in the East Midlands.
“I am confident this initiative will lead to further investment in and around The Delph area to complement the £2.3 million of government grant that has already been invested by the council.”
