Post Office to close several branches in weeks – is your local affected?

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File photo dated 07/05/13 of a Post Office sign, as Post Offices handled a record ¿3.23 billion in cash in May. It marked the third month in a row when more than ¿3 billion was deposited and withdrawn in a single month. PA Photo. Issue date: Monday June 13, 2022. See PA story MONEY Cash. Photo credit should read: Tim Ireland/PA Wire

THE POST Office has confirmed it will close several branches within weeks – but it’s not bad news for all customers.

Three branches will close permanently, while two others will relocate to nearby sites.

The Post Office has confirmed it will close several branches

The Post Office closed its store in Haselmere, Surrey, on May 31 and will shut the Rosehearty branch in Aberdeenshire on July 22.

It’s also set to close the Eaton location near Norwich soon, but it’s not yet confirmed which date.

Elsewhere, the Post Office in West Mersea’s High Street in Colchester will close on June 9.

But customers won’t be without the service for long, as it is relocating to Mersea Island Supermarket and will reopen on June 14.

Similarly, the Post Office in Gilstead Lane, Bingley, will be closing on July 10 and moving to nearby Ferncliffe Road on July 11.

The Post Office said that from time to time, it does have to close branches.

But a spokesman said that new branches are popping up across the country, and it still has more than 11,500 sites across the country.

He said: “On many occasions a branch will close and sometimes just a few days later re-open at a new location under a new Postmaster.

“This is the most challenging economic climate retailers have faced in decades and we fully recognise the pressures Postmasters face to keep their branch open and serve their local community.”

The Post Office recently opened branches in Shropshire, West Yorkshire, Port Glasgow and Wandsworth in London.

Below is a full list of post offices relocating and closing within weeks:

  • Eaton Post Office, Norwich
  • Haselmere, Surrey
  • Rosehearty, Aberdeenshire
  • West Mersea High Street, Colchester – relocation
  • Gilstead Lane, Bingley – relocation

Retailers have been feeling the pinch since the pandemic while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to soaring inflation.

High energy costs and a shift to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.

Plus, home retailer Argos announced it will close all of its stores in the Republic of Ireland this year.

Iceland is closing two more of its supermarkets in June.

Plus, New Look is permanently pulling down the shutters on two of its shops in June and July.

Shops aren’t the only ones affected, major burger chain Byron Burger also fell into administration and closed nine restaurants immediately.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]