St James Street Sub Post Office

This is my local post office, and offers an above-​average service by making a couple of small additions to the basic post office set up. The addition of a corner-​shop style store in the front means you can pick up bits and pieces while doing your post, and the rather large number of desks for the small queuing area means you nearly always get seen immediately. In the end, it is just a post office, but it does what it needs to better than others.
The corner-​shop at the front of the post office is such a great idea that I’m surprised others haven’t nicked this simple idea. All of the post office items are available to buy, as well as the typical corner shop bits and pieces, which is useful if I’m in a bit of a time crunch. That, combined with the great service here, makes this a great place to get your posting needs filled.
When you do get through the corner shop, the post office area is much bigger than it needs to be. There are 4 – 5 desks crammed into the small space, meaning there is nearly always a free desk: a great service. The turnover also seems to be quite good: I’ve never waited more than about 30 seconds.
In the end, the post office is a must-​visit place: everyone has to post letters every now and again. However, this post office does seem to try a bit harder than most of the rest: the effort doesn’t go unnoticed.

It’s hard to go wrong here. In addition to providing your usual services (I was able to top-​up my mobile here), they have an excellent magazine selection, and I spent a few more minutes in here than I should have, as I was preoccupied with catching up with the latest Hollywood gossip. They always have a decent stationery section, and I was able to pick-​up a notepad (named «NOTEPAD») for a very cheap price. They also sell pens, papers, tape, and other small supplies. They have a gift card section, which provides you with more of the usual and familiar sort of greeting cards for special occasions. The cards aren’t top-​of-​the-​line, and are more of the one-​liner sort (usually something along the lines of, «I’m glad I’m your son, happy birthday!»).

This Kemp Town Post Office branch is great to find some bargain chocolates from some little known brand (if you’re not afraid to sway your Bounty for a Coconut Dream), and it also has a huge stock of magazines including more specialist ones. It’s always busy there, with a big post office area at the back, a free cashpoint, a large selection of greetings cards, lottery, stationary, and also varying seasonal stock — such as cheap fireworks in November and easter eggs in Spring. Wouldn’t reccomend it for the card selection — very blunt and ugly, I once spent half an hour trying to find a Mother’s Day card without an awful poem before deciding I may as well make one. But all in all, good to see a local store thriving!