Cheltenham Post Office (1876)

CHELTENHAM POST OFFICE (1876)

33-41 Promenade

Postcard view

Year: 1876 (conversion from Imperial Club)(1904-1906 enlargement, architect John Rutherford) (1933 interior alterations, architects Henry Seccombe and Percy Stratton)
Archive sources
British Postal Museum & Archive POST 91/1353-1356
Gloucestershire Archives D8242/CO/6/1
Selected bibliographical references
Builder 16 Jun 1906, p. 681
Cheltenham Chronicle and Gloucestershire Graphic 28 Oct 1933, p. 4
Cheltenham Looker-On 16 Dec 1876, p. 809-810
History
Closed: 1987
Current use: Retail premises

Building description
From: Cheltenham Chronicle and Gloucestershire Graphic 28 October 1933, p. 4

In connection with the national policy of brighter Post Offices, it is felt that the inhabitants of Cheltenham will view with much satisfaction the important improvements which have taken place at the Head Post Office this summer. It may, perhaps, be mentioned that last general reconstruction and enlargement of the Post Office took place between the years 1904 and 1906. At that time, temporary premises were occupied at the old King’s Hall, North-street, during the rebuilding. After a lapse of nearly 30 years it was evident that the standard of fittings and decoration of the public office were behind that maintained by other local public bodies. The present alterations were commenced in March last, and in view of the fact that the public service has been maintained throughout, a word of appreciation both to the public and the staff may be given the tolerant manner in which both accepted the unavoidable inconvenience which has taken place. The public office has been entirely equipped and redecorated. A modern counter in mahogany has been installed with a new bronze grille—a feature of this grille is that provision has been made by two special screens which give greater privacy to the public in transacting money order and savings bank business. The new main counter has been set back so as to allow more space on the public side—on the official side, the old wood counter drawers have been replaced by modern steel drawers of the pedestal type. At the rear end of the counter a special enclosure has been built for the officer-in-charge. The floor has been entirely renewed and laid in a very attractive design with synthetic marble tiles. It is understood that this type of flooring is the first of its kind to be laid at any Post Office building in the country. A second doorway has been provided between the public office and the lobby. The main walls of the public office have been treated with a mahogany dado to a height of 3 feet 4 inches, the upper portion the walls being painted in light stone colour which gives a most pleasing effect. A new large mahogany writing table with chairs to match have also been provided for the convenience of the public, with a 1ong wall writing desk under the front windows. A special inquiry position has been placed at the rear end of the public office counter which is distinct from the general business counter. The lobby has been increased in size by the removal of a glazed screen and a new position has been found in it for two new mahogany telephone cabinets which shortly be erected and put into service. A new posting box has also been provided in the lobby by means of which correspondence is directly transferred to the sorting office. Two sets of stamp vending have also been placed in the outside main wall to the right of the external posting box in replacement of the existing machines on the main doors and on the Promenade telephone kiosk. Other improvements have also been carried out in the official part of the building-a new accounts branch with direct access to the public counter has been provided. The telegraph and phonogram departments have been brought together in one large room , with separate accommodation for the boy messenger staff. The most modern type of instrument now used in the telegraph service -the teleprinter - has been installed, and a new and improved form of phonogram reception from telephone subscribers has also been introduced whereby telegrams are typewritten instead of being written in manuscript as was formerly the case—a form reception which reduces liability to error, and at same time increases the speed of reception and despatch. The system of central heating has been improved and extended. Electrically-controlled clocks have been fitted throughout the building. Special window notices, which will contain information to the public with reference to the mail arrangements are placed in the windows to the right and left of the outside posting box. The lighting of that part of the front the building has also been improved. The alterations and improvements were carried on the recommendation C. A. Jackson, surveyor to the Post Office for the South Wales District, who has taken a keem and personal interest in the work, and under the direction of Mr. H. E. Seccombe, A.R.1.B.A., chief architect, and Mr. P.M. Stratton, A.R.1.B.A., each of H.M. Office Works, London. The contractors were Messrs W. J. B. Halls, Ltd., Gloucester, and the clerk of the works was Mr. W. H. Standen. The result of the improvements is highly satisfactory, and residents of Cheltenham will, no doubt, be satisfied that the Post Office has provided an office which will compare favourably with any Post Office in the kingdom, and will be more in keeping the general character of the town.