Councillor Fran Belbin, Deputy Leader of Sheffield City Council and ward councillor, who was pivotal in getting Firth Park Post Office re-opened at Firth Park library “cut the ribbon” (6/9) to mark the official opening.
A community celebration was held to mark a Post Office being restored in Firth Park inside the library at 441-443 Firth Park Road, Firth Park, Sheffield, S5 6QQ.
The new postmaster is Mohamed Al-Imam, an accountant whose business is located opposite the library. Mohamed, who grew up locally in Firth Park has employed experienced staff and newly trained staff to operate Firth Park Post Office on a daily basis.
The previous operator at Heron Foods in Sicey Avenue, Sheffield, S5 6NF, resigned and the branch closed at this location in February 2023.
We worked with Sheffield City Council to find a solution. Firth Park councillors negotiated for vital Post Office services to be restored at Firth Park Library. Sarah Norton, Services Manager, Libraries, was very supportive with the idea and was helpful in providing space by moving a section of books. Library staff have also been very welcoming.
Councillors Fran Belbin, Nikki Belfield, Abdul Khayum, and former Cllr Abtisam Mohamed (now an MP) were all involved with the Firth Park library initiative to add the Post Office.
Firth Park Post Office continues to operate as a mains branch, offering the same wide services as before. There are two Post Office counters and the newly-created Post Office area in a corner of the library looks good and works well for Post Office and library users.
Cllr Fran Belbin, who represents Firth Park ward, said: “Many local councillors were determined to get a Post Office re-opened in Firth Park as it’s essential for a community. It made real sense for the branch to be located in the library, which is a real community hub for borrowing books, doing research and for community activities.
“We are delighted with how well it works with the Post Office alongside the library and only a small number of books had to be moved. The mutual use of the building has proved popular with residents and local businesses and gives people lots of people extra reasons to visit this beautiful building.”
Postmaster, Mohamed Al-Imam, said: “There is a real buzz of excitement with Firth Park Post Office opening within the library. I really want to thank Cllrs Fran Belbin and all the councillors involved and Sarah Norton, for their great support. We’d looked to see if there was room for the Post Office within my accountancy office, but there wasn’t sufficient space, however, having Firth Park Post Office at the library works much better.
“People are impressed with how good the Post Office looks. It works really well for my Post Office customers and my staff. There is a relaxed environment which benefits everyone and my staff can use the library’s staffroom and facilities. The Post Office will also bring increased footfall to the library and more people may sign up for library cards and to borrow more books, increasing reading.
“Lots of parking in the area means that people can easily bring their parcels to the library and collect parcels from here too. Customers can make free cash withdrawals from the Post Office counter, which is the only place that they can do this in Firth Park. With many bank branch closures, it’s somewhere that people can do their personal and business banking on behalf of all the major high street banks. It’s also easy for people to pay their bills or to buy foreign currency.”
Both the Post Office and library customers benefit from lots of free parking. There is roadside parking with a designated parking bay at the rear side of the new premises. There is also a free car park located within two minutes’ walk known as Firth Park car park located on Hucklow Road S5 6TF. Further on street time restricted parking limited to one or two hours is also available on the two streets either side of the library.
The opening hours are Monday to Friday: 9am – 5.30pm; Saturday: 9am – 4pm. This provides 49 hours and 30 minutes of Post Office service a week, which is longer than the library’s opening hours, for the convenience of Post Office customers.
David Woodhead, Post Office Network Provision Manager, said: “We are delighted to have restored a Post Office to this area as we know how important a Post Office is to a community. This re-opening is greatly appreciated by the community. The branch’s opening hours make it convenient for customers to visit.”