Lokeren (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Lokeren’s Oude Post, over 120 years old, reopens after 6 years of vacancy with a new purpose. Alderman Stin Deschepper and Leen Heyvaert lead its restoration for the tourist office, city archives, and council offices.
As VRT News reported, the Oude Post in Lokeren, in the province of East Flanders, Belgium, has been fully restored after 6 years of vacancy and is ready to reopen with a new purpose.
“All services that are now more difficult to accommodate will come together in the Old Post Office”,
Stin Deschepper, Alderman for Tourism, said.
The tourist office will officially open on Saturday, November 22nd, 2025. Staff will move in earlier, and by the end of January 2026, the city archives and city council offices will also relocate to the building. The city worked to give the historic site a new purpose while keeping its architectural features intact.
“All the services that are currently more difficult to accommodate will be brought together in the Old Post Office,”
continues Alderman for Tourism Stin Deschepper (Local Liberal).
“The city archives will now be in a suitable location with the right temperature and humidity, so that all that material is well preserved.”
What new role will Lokeren’s Oude post play after full restoration?
Leen Heyvaert from the Tourist Office said the Oude Post is one of Lokeren’s most recognisable buildings.
“Wherever you come from, whether the station or the highway, you cannot miss this building,” she said.
She mentioned that visitors will be able to explore the city in a modern and interactive way, learning about Lokeren’s history, culture, and recreation. Deschepper, a city official, noted that after the merger with Moerbeke, the city has more to offer for walking and cycling tourism.
“We want to make Lokeren the tourism capital of the Waasland region,” he said.
“We want to make Lokeren the tourist capital of the Waasland.”
Stin Deschepper, Alderman for Tourism (Local Liberal)
The Oude Post is located at the corner of Durmelaan and Markt. The city bought it in early 2019, but it remained vacant while officials looked for a suitable use. Officials mentioned that because the building is a protected monument, the city had to carefully choose a plan that preserves its history and architecture. The Oude Post is about 120 years old and has long been part of Lokeren’s history. It served as a central post office for many decades.
“The post office used it for a long time, but their operations have changed so much that this building is no longer functional,”
said Leen Heyvaert from the Tourist Office. She added that it is positive that the city purchased the building and will reopen it to the public.
