Leam post office to be made listed building?

Leamington Spa’s 150 year-old post office building is currently being considered by English Heritage as a potential building of historic status.

Marianne Pitts submitted the application on behalf of Leamington Society to prevent development to the historic building after company bosses announced that the building on Priory Terrace would be put up sale.

The Victorian building’s future came into the spotlight after the post office’s recent move from its original home to Spar supermarket in Bath Street in December 2013, leaving the Priory Terrace building
unprotected.

The report, constructed by English Heritage after inspection of the site, is currently undergoing discussion. It will then be recommended to politician Maria Miller, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Ms Pitts said to the Leamington Observer: “It is a fantastic site right in the middle of town and is therefore attractive for developers. I want to make sure the outside of the building at least is preserved as it was.”

Opening in March 1870, its development was a part of the expansion of the Post Office between 1840 and 1913 designed by James Williams. It has been the head office in Leamington until last December.

Matt Peckham, a first-year Economics undergraduate said: “If anything happened to the building it would ruin the aesthetics of Leamington in that area with the Church and the Pump Rooms so close by.

Leamington is a town that displays the importance of conservation of buildings. It is a part of Leamington’s
history.”

While waiting for English Heritage’s decision, the Victorian building’s future is still uncertain.