Thornaby Pavilion post office 'is not closing' as Pizza Hut plan to turn it into takeaway is refused

The post office at the Pavilion Shopping Centre in Thornaby,
-Credit:Google


A postmaster has assured customers his branch would not be closing after a proposal to turn it into a Pizza Hut takeaway was refused.

The plans to change the post office at St Peter's House, Pavilion Shopping Centre, Thornaby into a restaurant and takeaway alarmed customers who feared they would lose a vital community asset. However the Post Office now says the landlord was merely "testing the water" with the planning application for the American pizza chain.

Stockton Council turned down the plan. Officers said it would cause an "over-concentration of non-retail uses within a cluster" which would harm a parade of shops.

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One objector wrote on the council's planning portal: "The post office is vital for not only me but many other people in the community. I feel with a Pizza Hut down the road in Middlesbrough is there truly a need for this over a post office? I don't think so."

Another wrote: "The post office is an important part of the town centre. It is essential for the elderly, small businesses and people who do not drive. We do not need another fast food restaurant, we need a safe place for the elderly and vulnerable to deposit and withdraw money."

Pizza Hut has been refused planning permission for a takeaway at the Thornaby Pavilion. Photo shows a Pizza Hut sign
Pizza Hut has been refused planning permission for a takeaway at the Thornaby Pavilion -Credit:Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Proudreed Real Estate Ltd, the owners of the Pavilion, had applied for the change of use saying it would "enhance the diversity of activity on the site and the vitality and viability of the centre". Their planning statement said it would "make positive use of a vacant unit", despite the fact it contained a post office which was still running.

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If the plans had been granted it said Pizza Hut Delivery would run the ground floor unit, near a tanning salon, supermarket and other takeaways including a KFC two doors away and a McDonald's across the road. The company intended to use it as a "hot food takeaway with ancillary restaurant" with seating to up to 20 customers, a serving counter, waiting area, kitchen and staff facilities.

However the proposal attracted 24 objections from members of the public, including a local GP practice. They raised concerns including the importance of the post office, harm to the economy and local businesses, loss of a community facility, littering, smells, fumes and anti-social behaviour.

The scheme was not supported by local councillors. Cllr Ray Godwin, who represents Stainsby Hill, said he did not think it was the right place, at the entry and exit of the main town centre car park. He said it would have a serious impact on road safety in an area already "heavily congested, regularly gridlocked".

He wrote: "My other concerns are the concentration of food and takeaway restaurants along this strip of shops and the close proximity to the nearby schools. I do support diversification in the town centre but ultimately believe this property is best served as a post office (and) retail unit with the loss of the post office having a major impact on the local community and economy."

Cllr Ray Godwin
Cllr Ray Godwin

Cllr Mick Moore, for Village ward, objected because of traffic congestion and near the Allensway junction, "which regularly has vehicles backed up to Mitchell Avenue traffic lights".

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Thornaby Town Council also objected, citing congestion and a lack of safe crossing areas: "This application if passed would make this area increasingly hazardous with the additional volume of traffic, especially during certain peak times daily adding further risk to pedestrians, cyclists, and road users."

It said of the post office: "Its closure would be severely detrimental to the community, and its current location also increases footfall on Thornaby town centre's other areas. This post office's location is an essential part of Thornaby and is perfectly placed for accessibility for everyone, including those members of the town who have mobility issues."

A Post Office spokesperson said: "Thornaby Post Office is open as normal providing essential services to the community. The postmaster still has a valid three-year lease for the property and then the option to renew after that.

"He wants to reassure customers that his branch is not closing. The landlord was testing the water with the planning application and that application has recently failed."

Proudreed and Pizza Hut Delivery have also been contacted for a comment.

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