Village post office shut after findings in audit

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A village post office has been forced to close following an internal audit.

Customers who went to Freckleton Post Office, Preston Old Road, found the doors bolted and a sign saying ‘due to unforeseen circumstances this branch is closed until further notice’.

Post Office bosses said they are hopeful it will reopen to customers tomorrow with a temporary postmaster in place.

Kiran Mulholland, Fylde’s councillor for Freckleton East Ward and the previous postmaster, was unavailable for comment.

The independent councillor has run the Post Office for more than 20 years and is a well known figure locally.

A Post Office Ltd spokesman said: “Freckleton Post Office closed temporarily on Friday morning for operational reasons.

“We apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused and can assure them that we’re doing all we can to restore service as soon as possible.

“While the branch is closed, customers can use nearby branches at Kirkham or Warton or any post office of their choice.”

He confirmed the closure had been put in place following an audit but refused to give any further details.

Coun Maraline Foster, parish councillor for Freckleton West Ward, said: “It has caused a bit of a problem because there’s only the one post office in the village and there are no banks.”

One Freckleton resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “As far as I’m aware, the notice was posted on the door on Thursday.

“It hasn’t caused me any problems at the moment, but I do use this post office regularly.”

The nearest post offices for residents are at 206 Lytham Road, Warton, which is around two-and-a-half miles away and 4 Market Square, Kirkham, which is nearly three miles away.