Stair newel post – structural or safe to remove? (UK, photos included)

[plasma222]

Hi all,

I’m looking for some advice on whether a timber post at the bottom of my staircase is structural or can be safely removed.

Property: UK house
Location: Entrance hallway, bottom of stairs
Post size: approx. 65 × 65 mm
Stair type: timber staircase, closed string, first flight from ground floor

From inspection so far:

• Post is approx. 65 mm square

• Bottom of post appears to sit on finished floor (no visible steel shoe or concrete fixing)

• Top is tight to ceiling with filler/paint but no obvious connection to a beam

• Stair stringer is not housed into the post

• Connection to the stairs appears to be via small timber blocks/spacers rather than a structural joint

• Stairs feel solid and self-supporting

Photos attached show:

1. Base of the post at floor level

2. Head of the post at ceiling level

3. Detail of connection between post and stair stringer

4. Wider context of the staircase and hallway

Questions:

1. Does this look like a load-bearing / structural post, or just a balustrade/newel post?

2. Is this type of post typically removable in UK stair construction?

3. If removed, are there any recommended precautions or temporary supports?

4. Would removal normally fall under Building Control, or not?

I’m not planning to leave the stairs without a balustrade — this would be replaced with a compliant alternative.

Any input from experienced builders, joiners, or engineers would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[markc]

Hi, I cannot see any pics, but at 65mm square it is unlikely to be structural. Many older houses had newal posts floor to ceiling to make them more stable.

[plasma222]

Edited 4 hours ago by plasma222

[plasma222]

[Mike]

Not structural. Most likely the relic of a 1970's renovation.