GUERNSEY Post’s flagship office is moving from Smith Street to the former States offices at North Plantation. Chief executive Gordon Steele said the move, expected to be completed by October, would benefit customers and staff.

A smaller branch will also open in the Markets’ Co-op food store.

‘The new premises have always played a pivotal part in the life of Town and offer excellent access from the North Beach car park and the bus terminus,’ said Mr Steele.

‘The Smith Street building is effectively derelict, has unusable space and the rent is too expensive in relation to the price of a stamp.’

Guernsey Post is currently negotiating with its new landlord over rent.

The company will be sharing the ground floor with the Guernsey Information Centre.

Mr Steele said it would be an open plan design and would continue to offer its usual postal and financial services and private boxes.

Guernsey Post has been refreshing its branches across the island. Head of retail services Jason Baker said the new offices would be in line with that and have a very different feel from the Smith Street building.

But he added that care had to be taken because it was a listed building.

Guernsey Post came under fire after it shut down a branch in the Arcade.

Gabriel’s owner Brian Gabriel, who had opposed the closure, said he was delighted that a branch was reopening in the Markets area.

‘Guernsey Post is so useful to so many people that having them in the centre of Town will be fantastic,’ he said.

Nelson Place has been earmarked by Treasury and Resources for sale or lease to the private sector.