The Hong Kong postal service (HKP) has a history that stretches back to 1841 when the first post office was established, just after the introduction of the Universal Penny Post in the United Kingdom. From then up to the early 1950s, 110-plus years later, only eight post offices existed in the territory.
However since the 1950s the number of post offices has grown and now Hong Kong has an extensive and comprehensive network of post offices that cover the whole territory. One of the ex-colony’s very earliest offices stands at the head of bustling and popular Stanley Market. Built in 1937 Stanley Post Office is Hong Kong’s oldest serving office.
Stanley Post Office, One of the Oldest in Hong Kong
The office still occupies its original building and was extensively refurbished and restored in 2007. One of the priorities of Hong Kong Post was to maintain Stanley Post Office’s historic character. It was the intention of Hong Kong Post to keep the special charm of the building by restoring some original features.
Restoring Original Features
Counter grills with the curlicue ‘GR’ cipher were re-instated while outsidse, an original GviR Post Office Red cast iron wall posting box and a stamp booklet vending machine were installed. Unfortunately these are not intended for postal use but are only for display purposes.
Besides the original counter grills, other original features have been reinstated. The building’s roof has been returned to its original state, inside the office the modern ceiling has been stripped away to reveal original teak beams and purlins. And the once very common terrazzo floor painstakingly brought back to an ‘as new’ condition.
Hong Kong Post Resists the Trend of Closures
In today’s age where instant communication is possible from any point on the globe, it is gratifying to know that some postal authorities are resisting the trend of administrations world-wide with closures of rural and suburban offices and that HKP appreciate the value of maintaining a comprehensive post office network.
Hong Kong Post has made a virtue out of restoring a historic building, while improving the services and maintaining an important post office which continues to serve the small community of Stanley village, its visitors and tourists.
Hong Kong Post Commitment to Service
Hong Kong Post’s commitment to service is paying off, on a recent visit Stanley Post Office was doing a roaring trade and quite a queue formed to buy postcards and stamps. Many also took away a free nicely illustrated leaflet of the office’s history, development and restoration.
HKP and Stanley Post Office may offer a lesson to the world’s postal services that by providing an efficient service with nods to a glorious past, these still relevant facilities can be profitable and survive by serving as a reminder of a slower more leisured age.
John Howe - John Howe is a qualified nurse, lecturer and journalist, he has written extensively on health, travel and lifestyle in Asia and Europe.
