Singapore, 23 September 2020 – Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) today officially opened its doors to its second philatelic retail store, the Philatelic Store@Fullerton. Located at the basement floor of The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, the new store traces the roots of Singapore’s rich postal history to the site of its very first General Post Office.
The store was officially opened by Mr Vincent Phang, SingPost CEO for Postal Services & Singapore, together with Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale, General Manager of The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts.
Similar to the first Philatelic Store@GPO, the new store offers both stamp collectors and overseas visitors the full range of national stamps and philately memorabilia, including a range of gifts exclusive to the new store. The store also features a colonial-era red pillar posting box, which has been specially restored for the new site.
The Philatelic Store@Fullerton will also offer basic mail services, including the handling of Basic Mail, Tracked Mail and Registered Services for mailing within Singapore and internationally.
Special date stamp
Given the significance of the store to Singapore’s postal history, SingPost will offer a special commemorative date stamp at the Philatelic Store@Fullerton for collectors and customers, which can be obtained over the counter within the store.
New Philatelic Store@Fullerton date-stamp
Mr Phang said that the opening of the store at the former site of Singapore’s first General Post Office is of great significance to SingPost.
“We have a rich history of over 160 years connecting communities across the country and with the rest of the world. To be able to once again make our presence at the former site of our beloved Grand Old Dame The General Post Office, we are hopeful that this store will be able to bring meaning for visitors and philatelic enthusiasts alike as they discover the legacy of The Fullerton Hotel in Singapore’s postal history,” Mr Phang said.
Cavaliere Giovanni said: “Once home to Singapore’s General Post Office, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore is excited to welcome the opening of the Philatelic Store@Fullerton. As custodian of Singapore’s 71st National Monument, we look forward to creating more stories and memories to add to the rich heritage of the Fullerton Building.”
Singapore’s first General Post Office
Singapore’s very first General Post Office (GPO) was situated near the Town Hall along Singapore River back in the 1800s, and subsequently moved several times to bigger buildings within the city centre as its operations grew larger. In 1925, the buildings were demolished to make way for the construction of Fullerton Building, where the postal service was then located.
The GPO became Fullerton Building’s anchor tenant when the building first opened in 1928, occupying the building’s sub-ground, ground and first floors for its operations, including postal halls, offices and sorting rooms.
One interesting fact of the first GPO was that mail that was dropped into the post box used to fall directly to the sub-ground floor, where it was caught on a band conveyor, which carried the mail to the sorting room. The sub-ground floor was also connected underground to the Post Office Pier, for the transfer and pick up of overseas mail.
By 1971, GPO relocated its operations as it outgrew its base. The Fullerton Building continued to have an illustrious history serving as home to other government offices through the years. In 2000, the neo-classical building was transformed into The Fullerton Hotel Singapore as it’s known today, a luxurious 400-room heritage hotel.
Opening offers
From now to 31 December 2020, the Philatelic Store@Fullerton and both hotels will be running the following promotions:
- All in-house guests at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, as well as guests dining at participating F&B outlets in both hotels can enjoy 20% off all items at Philatelic Store@Fullerton by presenting their key cards or same-day dining receipts. Terms and conditions apply2 .
- Customers of the Philatelic Store@Fullerton will enjoy 20% off all a la carte food items at all participating F&B outlets in both hotels1 by presenting a same-day receipt from the Philatelic Store. Terms and conditions apply3 .
About Singapore Post Limited
For more than 160 years, Singapore Post (SingPost), as the country's postal service provider, has been delivering trusted and reliable services to homes and businesses in Singapore. Today, SingPost is pioneering and leading in eCommerce logistics as well as providing innovative mail and logistics solutions in Singapore and around the world, with operations in 19 markets.
Building on its trusted communications through domestic and international postal services, SingPost is taking the lead in end-to-end integrated and digital mail solutions. The suite of SingPost eCommerce logistics solutions includes front end web management, warehousing and fulfilment, last mile delivery and international freight forwarding.
About The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
The magnificent Fullerton Building is a grand neoclassical landmark built in 1928. Gazetted in December 2015 as a National Monument, it was once home to Singapore’s General Post Office, the Exchange Room and the prestigious Singapore Club. For nearly a century, it played a pivotal role in Singapore’s rich history. Today, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore has been transformed into a stunning 400-room heritage hotel in Singapore.
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore is carefully designed to provide both business and leisure travellers with a sanctuary of serenity and comfort. Located in the heart of the financial and arts districts, the hotel blends rich heritage with contemporary style and personalised service to offer guests a world-class accommodation experience. Epicureans can enjoy a delectable array of dining selections. There are three restaurants in the hotel – Town Restaurant presents an international selection; Jade serves elegant Cantonese cuisine and The Courtyard offers bento lunches and Afternoon Tea. Aside from the dining selections, guests can pamper themselves with the indulgent treatments at The Fullerton Spa.
1Participating restaurants: The Courtyard, The Cake Boutique, Jade, La Brasserie, The Clifford Pier, The Landing Point.
2The discount is not applicable to stamps, stamp sets, stamp booklets, stamp sheets, collector sheets and miniature sheets. This promotion is also not to be used in conjunction with any other promotions.
3Offer is not valid on eve of and on public holidays, and may include other blackout dates determined by the hotel, unless stated otherwise. Reservations are required and subject to availability. For reservations, please call Dining Reservation at 6877 8911/8912 or e-mail: dining-rsvp@fullertonhotels.com. All offers cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions, offers, privileges, discounts, vouchers, loyalty programmes, and privilege card. Offer excludes selected cakes including Kueh Lapis and seasonal items at The Cake Boutique and Weekend Yum Cha Menu at Jade. The Hotel reserves the right to vary and amend any of the terms and conditions without prior notice.
