The petition for the preservation of the post office in the center of Olomouc was signed by 2500 people

Olomouc - A petition for the preservation of the postal branch in the Republic Square in the historical center of Olomouc has been signed by nearly 2,500 people. They are unhappy with the decision of Czech Post (ČP) to relocate this workplace to the new shopping center Galerie Šantovka. The petition's authors have sent it to the management of ČP and informed the MPs and senators elected in the Olomouc region as well as the Minister of the Interior, Milan Chovanec (ČSSD), under whose authority the state enterprise falls. ČP will not change its plans to move the post office.
    The authors of the petition told ČTK today that 2,458 people have signed the call to preserve the post office in the Republic Square. "If ČP truly aims to ensure the satisfaction of as many of its customers as possible and these are not just empty proclamations, then the preservation of the branch in the Republic Square is the first step that needs to be taken to address the wishes of such a large number of its customers," said one of the petition's authors, Petr Daněk.
    ČP spokesperson Marta Selicharová told ČTK today that the decision to relocate the post office to Galerie Šantovka has already been made. "The lease agreement (for the premises in Galerie Šantovka) has not yet been signed. A future contract has been signed. The expected date for the relocation is during the year 2014," added Selicharová. She reminded that just a few minutes' walk from the Republic Square is another branch of ČP on Horní náměstí, which is busier.
    The authors of the petition criticized the city hall for not taking any action, even though it knew about the planned relocation of the post office to the Šantovka shopping center in advance. The city supposedly has the right to request an analysis from ČP regarding the workload of the branch in Republic Square that would justify its relocation. The city hall disagrees with the criticism. "The city leadership has criticized the post office from the beginning for insufficient communication with the public and especially with significant institutions like the university, archbishopric, and art museum," said city spokesperson Radka Štědrá to ČTK today, according to whom the city does not have the authority to intervene in the decisions of ČP management.
    The intention to relocate the branch from the Republic Square, where it has been located since 1885, to the new shopping center Šantovka on the opposite side of the city center was announced by ČP last year. The relocation was justified by the high foot traffic of the shopping complex, its location near the city center, and the densely populated housing estate of Nové Sady. "ČP is a company that must earn its expenses through its own activities and is not subsidized by taxes or grants. Therefore, it must behave commercially in the market, and its strategy is to have branches where there is interest in postal services," pointed out Selicharová.
    In addition to residents around the Republic Square, the relocation of the post office is also opposed by Palacký University and the archbishopric, which is located nearby. The canceled branch is also used by the Art Museum, the army, and the Regional Museum. ČP will offer companies and institutions other branches or delivery and pick-up of postal items directly at their locations. ČP plans to discuss the relocation with pensioners as well. "If they do not wish to use another post office, we will offer them the delivery of pensions to their address," said Selicharová.