SuperValue to take over post services

Redwood Village will retain its postal services after New Zealand Post and Redwood SuperValue reached an agreement to move postal, courier and post office box services to the supermarket.

The agreement, finalised late yesterday, does not include Kiwibank or bill-paying services.

The future of postal services in the Blenheim suburb had been under threat after it was revealed in November the Redwood Village Post Shop's contract with New Zealand Post would expire in April.

The shop is operated within the Take Note bookshop, which has been on the market for two years as its owners Jim and Cherie Lochead look to retire after 14 years in the business.

New Zealand Post decided against upgrading or maintaining the existing Post Shop.

Instead, the Locheads will hand over the reins of the postal operation to SuperValue on March 27.

Redwood SuperValue co-owner Cecilia Norman said Mrs Lochead would spend the first couple of weeks training supermarket staff.

The post centre would be located at one checkout lane until planned renovations were completed, when it would be moved into a customer service area.

Mrs Norman, who owns the supermarket with husband Darryl, said it was not yet known when renovations would take place.

Post office boxes will be moved to the covered walkway on the Weld St boundary of the supermarket, she said.

"We hope current customers of both the supermarket and Redwood Post Shop will be pleased to know they will soon be able to buy their groceries and postal needs in a one-stop shop."

New Zealand Post head of retail operations and marketing Scott Pollard said they understood the loss of bank and bill-paying services would inconvenience some.

"We don't take these decisions lightly. However, we have to consider carefully where to best use our resources and that we have a sustainable network of retail outlets. In doing that, we look at each area in the context of today and the future.

"We understand that many residents at Redwood Village travel to central Blenheim for shopping and other activities and we hope they will use the new and improved Blenheim Post Shop on Main St."

A complete refit of the Main St shop, including a new internal design, more space and a revamped floor plan, was expected to be completed in about a week, Mr Pollard said.

Customers could also use the Springlands Post Shop, he said.

Marlborough mayor Alistair Sowman last night described the news SuperValue would take on the postal services as "part good".

"I congratulate the supermarket for picking it up ... it's disappointing they haven't picked up the whole thing, but I understand it's a commercial decision."

- The Marlborough Express