Bridgewater - Doubts over Post Office future

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FEARS have been raised this week that Bridgwater could be left without a town centre Post Office when the current branch closes.

Back in February the Mercury revealed how the future of the town centre service had been thrown into doubt after the owners of its current home, Martin’s the newsagent, announced they were closing the branch in September.

This week, Post Office bosses told us they were STILL working on plans for what will happen once the branch shuts, leading to fears a replacement service may not be ready in time.

Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said he would ‘stand in up Parliament’ and demand the town centre keeps a service if he had to.

He said: “As it stands we’re not going to have one in the near future. It’s absolutely disgraceful.

“Their agents are looking for somewhere else, but they’ve known about this for some time now.

“It’s vital Bridgwater has a Post Office. I’ll do everything I can to keep it open.”

If the Post Office has not opened a new town centre branch by the time its Angel Place outlet closes, people will have to got to offices in Wembdon Hill, Hamp and Parkway for services like vehicle tax and large post.

A Post Office spokesman told the Mercury: “Our agent at Bridgwater Post Office has given us the required notice to cease operating the branch.

“We’re currently exploring a number of options to maintain service to our customers in the area.”

Roger Evans, manager of Angel Place, said talks between the Post Office and a franchisee for an outlet in the centre had stalled, but said he was open to discussions with possible franchisees.

He said that he had been told the branch would close in mid-September.