Is there a minimum width requirement in a post office?

Is there a minimum width requirement in a post office?

Author
Discussion

mrmarcus

Original Poster:

668 posts

187 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
I cant find a definitive answer to this using google or on the post office website, maybe if someone knows they might point me to what is the legal requirement please?

Basically in our post office, you come in the door, then walk in on the left to a counter located at the back and then walk out on the right. Theres a big long card island in the middle splitting the left and right sides, with the cards facing the left so you cant pick one up in the que etc. all
Standard layout typical many post offices im sure.

The post office people always store large boxes and other stuff against the back if the card island reducing the width on the way out side. No issue if you are on foot etc. about 600mm wide.

But, Any time i go there with the kids in the double pram, I end up having to move their boxes to get out. Rarely If its quiet Il just go out the “way in” side and ask people to move but whens its busy as it usually is, theres no option.

Yeah I know its not the end of the world but its annoying almost every time to move lots of their stuff and maybe next time I might say to the post office guys about not storing stuff there and about blocking wheelchairs and buggys etc. but I wouldn't mind knowing if there is a legal minimum width requirement in a UK post office for access or is its just one of them things i got to suck up with a double buggy!

The width of the double pram is 760mm.

Thanks in advance if anyone knows.

KAgantua

4,282 posts

139 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
Sounds like a basic health and safety issue - you dont crowd egress aisles with stock, to the detriment of where you walk.

OldGermanHeaps

4,235 posts

186 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
Not unique to post offices but there are an endless list of requirements for fire escape routes and disability access.
What exactly is your plan?

Countdown

42,176 posts

204 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
Equality Act 2010 I think sets out the legal requirements for access to premises for disabled people. I’m not sure if it applies to other groups.

trickywoo

12,390 posts

238 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
Doors have to be a minimum of 775mm for wheelchair access so I’d guess similar for floor space.

You won’t get anywhere complaining though as post offices are franchises now so the grumpy person behind the counter is quite likely answerable to nobody.

normalbloke

7,747 posts

227 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
Meonstoke Post Office and Country Stores not your local then? That’d really get your hands wringing…

2020vision

127 posts

4 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
The width of the double pram is 760mm; the egress is 600mm or less.

Don’t push your pram into a space you can’t get out of.

GasEngineer

1,216 posts

70 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
2020vision said:
The width of the double pram is 760mm; the egress is 600mm or less.

Don’t push your pram into a space you can’t get out of.
Doesn't really help to answer the OPs question asking if there is a legal minimum space requirement in a shop.

Simpo Two

87,195 posts

273 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
GasEngineer said:
2020vision said:
The width of the double pram is 760mm; the egress is 600mm or less.

Don’t push your pram into a space you can’t get out of.
Doesn't really help to answer the OPs question asking if there is a legal minimum space requirement in a shop.
It's a more practical solution that suing the Post Office for infringement of pram rights though...

mrmarcus

Original Poster:

668 posts

187 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
2020vision said:
The width of the double pram is 760mm; the egress is 600mm or less.

Don’t push your pram into a space you can’t get out of.
The egress is approx. 900mm wide when not blocked by boxes stored in the egress.

mrmarcus

Original Poster:

668 posts

187 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
It's a more practical solution that suing the Post Office for infringement of pram rights though...
I will sue you for spelling crimes against the english language…

Forester1965

2,944 posts

11 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
Possibly falls foul of the fire safety regulations.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Part 2(14)(1) - "Where necessary in order to safeguard the safety of relevant persons, the responsible person must ensure that routes to emergency exits from premises and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times."

mrmarcus

Original Poster:

668 posts

187 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
normalbloke said:
Meonstoke Post Office and Country Stores not your local then? That’d really get your hands wringing…
We will load up the kids next week and pay them a visit.

Vanity Projects

2,468 posts

169 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
Thought this was going to be about the time the post office clerk had a go at me for giving him a parcel too small to stick the africa sized 'signed for' label on it.

richhead

1,731 posts

19 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
how about not having a double pram, adapt to the world, and not expect the world to adapt to you. im a wheelchair user and often have to go in the road as the entitled pram users wont let me past. Most public places are wheel chair accessible now, altho not all, and that is fine, some old buildings are a no go for me. A pram wider than a wheelchair , then you will have problems.

OldGermanHeaps

4,235 posts

186 months

Saturday 30th November
quotequote all
Blocking an escape route with boxes is frowned upon for good reason. Have a chat with the owner, if they ignore you your local fire and rescue service should have a non emergency helpdesk.

eldrich

70 posts

86 months

Sunday 1st December
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Wouldn't the simple solution to be to leave the pram outside? But then we live in a small village where there no doubt would be a couple of dogs tied up outside as well and a bunch of older folk having their morning gossip session.

Missy Charm

916 posts

36 months

Sunday 1st December
quotequote all
mrmarcus said:
Simpo Two said:
It's a more practical solution that suing the Post Office for infringement of pram rights though...
I will sue you for spelling crimes against the english language…
Oh, the irony...

14

2,156 posts

169 months

Sunday 1st December
quotequote all
Unfortunately the boxes will be there because they probably don’t have anywhere else to put them.

OldGermanHeaps

4,235 posts

186 months

Sunday 1st December
quotequote all
14 said:
Unfortunately the boxes will be there because they probably don’t have anywhere else to put them.
That doesn't factor into the fire regs.