Post Office operator needed as branch set to shut

A town is still on the hunt for a new operator to run its Post Office, as the current service will shut its doors on Monday.

The temporary operator of the Post Office on Market Street in Wellington has resigned, with the company advertising for a replacement to take over the reins "as soon as possible".

Wellington Town Council said it had had "positive and open dialogue" with the Post Office about moving the service into the former Halifax building in Duke Street.

The town council bought the Halifax building earlier in the year for about £325,000 using a public sector loan.

"I want members of the public and members of the council to be crystal clear – we purchased a building with a view to putting a Post Office in there and we are continuing working to deliver that aim," said councillor Paul Davis.

"We know how important having a Post Office in Wellington is.

"It remains an ongoing ambition and the Post Office has intimated they want to see a presence in this town."

Councillor Usman Ahmed said it was important to secure the future of financial services in the town.

"We've lost NatWest, Halifax, HSBC and Barlcays, we've only got two banks left," he said.

"The Post Office presence is crucial and it would alleviate pressure on the other two Post Offices."

A statement by the Post Office at the end of January confirmed the closure of the Wellington branch at 17:30 GMT on 16 February due to the resignation.

It said in the interim, alternative branches were Brooklands, which was 0.73 miles away, Arleston, just over a mile away, and Admaston and Leegomery, both less than two miles away.

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