Burton’s ‘flamboyant’ old post office could be transformed into apartments on upper floors

Parts of Burton’s historic former post office could be turned into an apartment block, new plans have revealed.

The 115-year-old ‘flamboyant’ building, in New Street, is described as, a “fine example of Edwardian-style building” and is still standing despite the post office moving out almost 30 years ago.

Since then the four-storey property remained empty for several years and various firms have moved in and out, and latterly Juniper Training occupies the ground floor and part of the first floor. The firm would remain and the ground floor would stay the same.

In plans submitted to East Staffordshire Borough Council, applicant Andrew Peers who acquired the Grade II listed building last year, the first, second and third floors would be converted into seven self-contained apartments, along with installation of roof lights and secondary glazing, removal of partition walls and the installation of new partition walls to create the flats.

The report said: “The former main post office, known as the ‘Old Post Office’, is a fine example of an Edwardian public building in a flamboyant style, purposely designed as a main post office.

“The front and rear elevations of the main part of the building have survived to the present day with only minor alterations. The building currently has approval for mixed use with retail units on the ground floor and offices on the upper floors.

“The proposal seeks to retain the character of the building, which is considered to be an historical asset, while carefully introducing minor internal changes to provide a new, previously approved beneficial use of the building to ensure the continued survival and maintenance of the existing fabric.”

The building was purpose-built in 1905 by the General Post Office, which was the state postal system and telecommunications carrier of the UK until 1969.

It was the main post office and sorting facility for Burton.

The Royal Mail ceased to use the post office in 1991 when it moved to new premises, and the building remained empty for several years leading to deterioration and vandalism.

Richfare Limited, its owners from 1999 until last year, carried out external repairs and remedial work to the main building which stabilised its condition

The building was leased to Connexions Staffordshire until 2012, and Juniper Training later took over the ground floor and part of the first floor where it remains.

However, the second and third floors are empty and have continued to remain unoccupied despite being widely marketed as commercial office space.

A decision is due to be made in the next few months.