To:

Post Office Ltd
Harpreet Uppal MP, Member of Parliament for Huddersfield
Kirklees Council

We, the undersigned residents, businesses and supporters of Huddersfield, respectfully ask that the possibility of restoring a full public Post Office service to the historic former General Post Office building on Northumberland Street be properly investigated.

For generations, the General Post Office on Northumberland Street was an important part of Huddersfield town centre and a familiar public service used by residents, businesses and visitors.

The public Post Office service was closed on Northumberland Street, yet the Northumberland Street premises have continued to have an important connection with postal operations, with Royal Mail services continuing to operate from the site.

We believe this provides an opportunity to consider whether a public Post Office counter could once again operate from the building, alongside the existing postal and business functions.

Why we believe this matters

Over recent decades, Huddersfield has experienced significant changes to its town centre and the loss of many familiar shops, services, community facilities and historic buildings.

Major retailers such as Marks & Spencer have closed their town-centre operations. Sports and leisure facilities have been lost or changed, while important historic buildings and sites have faced demolition, redevelopment or significant alteration.

There has also been continuing concern amongst residents about the protection of Huddersfield’s heritage, including the historic Castle Hill area and other important buildings and sites which contribute to the identity of the town.

Against this background, we believe that restoring an important public service to an existing historic building would be a positive step for Huddersfield.

The Northumberland Street building

The former General Post Office is not simply an empty former commercial property.

The building continues to have postal-related use, and its connection with Huddersfield’s postal history remains evident.

Kirklees Council’s own work on the Huddersfield Town Centre Conservation Area has recognised the historic and architectural interest of the former General Post Office building, with the possibility of it being considered for statutory listing.

We therefore believe that the building should be regarded as an important part of Huddersfield’s heritage as well as a potential location for an important public service.

What we are asking for

We respectfully ask Post Office Ltd, Kirklees Council and the Member of Parliament for Huddersfield to work together to:

Investigate the feasibility of restoring a full public Post Office counter service at the former General Post Office premises on Northumberland Street.
Explore whether appropriate space within the existing building could accommodate a public Post Office service while allowing the existing Royal Mail and business operations to continue.
Consider the proposal as part of the wider regeneration and heritage strategy for Huddersfield town centre.
Consult with local residents, businesses and community and heritage organisations about the future use of this important building.
Consider whether restoring a Post Office service at Northumberland Street could provide a more accessible and convenient service for residents and businesses in the town centre.
A positive step for Huddersfield

This petition is not intended to oppose regeneration, investment or change.

We recognise that town centres must evolve.

However, regeneration should not only be about replacing what has been lost. It should also be about bringing valued services back, protecting important buildings and creating reasons for people to continue visiting and using the town centre.

The former General Post Office on Northumberland Street already has a strong association with postal services and remains in postal use.

We believe there is therefore an opportunity to restore something important to Huddersfield without losing the existing function of the building.

We ask the three organisations addressed by this petition to work together with the people of Huddersfield to investigate the restoration of a public Post Office service at Northumberland Street.

We believe that after many years of losing important shops, services and historic assets, Huddersfield deserves the opportunity to put something valuable back into the heart of the town.