Walker Communications, Former Post Office, 43 High Street, Holywood, Co Down, BT18 9AB

Walker Communications, 43 High Street, Holywood, is a two-bay three-storey early Victorian former Post Office, now used as offices. Built circa 1840, it stands on the north side of High Street in Holywood town centre, east of the junction with Church Road.

The building is rectangular on plan with a single-storey return and a substantial two-storey return to the rear. It has a pitched natural slate roof with cast-iron ogee rainwater goods. The walling is smooth painted cement render with channelled rustications to the ground floor. The principal elevation faces south and is three openings wide. Windows to the ground floor are round-headed timber multi-paned set into recesses, with diminutive multi-paned replacement windows under the eaves to the first floor. The entrance is to the right at ground floor level, featuring a tall round-headed transom light above three panelled timber double-leaf door.

The west elevation is abutted by an adjoining building. The north (rear) elevation is dominated by a large two-storey flat roof return to the right. To the left is a small single-storey return with a uPVC window and simple timber door accessed by six brick and masonry steps, with two windows to the first floor. The exposed section of the two-storey return is partially timber clad with six openings to the first floor; the ground floor contains two windows and two modern timber doors, while the gable is blank. The east elevation is partially abutted by an adjoining building.

The building began as a domestic house before becoming a shop and bank, and served as Holywood's Post Office for more than half a century from 1926. According to historical records, it was occupied by various residents and businesses including Alexander Mackenzie, Hugh Newell, and John Kennedy in the mid-19th century. Samuel J Pattison converted it into a grocer's shop in 1896. The Northern Bank took possession in 1906 before it became a Post Office in 1926 under the Postmaster General. The building fell vacant by the 1990s.

The building was refurbished and extended in 2009, at which time it lost its original sash windows and underwent substantial internal alterations. The floor plan was altered and little or no historic fabric remains internally. Of some interest as a former post office, it was not built as such and is not one of those designed by T F O Rippingham for the Ministry of Finance, although some attempt was made to introduce design motifs in that style. These alterations have detracted from its historic character and it is no longer of special architectural or historic interest.

The building is situated within a conservation area. A rear car park is enclosed with masonry and brick wall with modern steel gates to the west.