Post office closes early to the fury of residents

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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ROYAL Mail has admitted Christmas parcels may not arrive before December 25 and could spend the festive season in the Sevenoaks sorting office.

Snow and poor weather set the delivery team back after they were unable to deliver for four days earlier this month. And would-be customers were let down further when the South Park branch shut up shop early on Saturday.

It was due to close at 12.30pm, but a notice was posted on the door at noon, telling customers it was closed due to adverse weather.

Ron Avery, of Clare Way, said: "Normally there is a nice feeling between the post office staff and the public, but on Saturday everyone was furious.


"You'd think they'd have longer opening hours on what is their busiest Saturday of the year. It's disgusting."

Mr Avery, 78, added: "I had struggled to get across South Park and some had come from Kemsing to send their post."

Arriving at noon "on the dot", he insisted he be allowed inside and eventually staff served him – but others were left in the cold.

Mr Avery said: "People were remonstrating outside the store and the manager came out and said he would call the police if we didn't leave.

"We are not a bunch of student yobs who are going to start smashing the place to pieces."

Post Office spokesman Valerie Antoine said: "As a result of the severe weather and transport difficulties encountered by staff, and concerns about how staff might get home if the weather deteriorated, the post office closed half an hour early on Saturday.

"We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience to our customers."

Packages are piling high at the sorting office, although staff managed to get up to speed on letters and cards.

"Fingers crossed we will have everything delivered in time for Christmas," said Sevenoaks sorting office manager Paul Beadle.

"If we get more snow, I can't say if we will be able to get everything delivered in time. Probably not."

Royal Mail spokesman Sally Hopkins added: "We are pulling out all the stops to get the mail delivered to our customers in Sevenoaks in time for Christmas."

[POSTMAN]

Jim,what's going on there?

[youwot!!!!!]

"Fingers crossed we will have everything delivered in time for Christmas," said Sevenoaks sorting office manager Paul Beadle.

[Stormproof]

Last Saturday the snow was really heavy and no doubt the town was gridlocked, I expect the collection was cancelled so would've made no difference.