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A ROW has erupted between a Hoddesdon shop owner and the Royal Mail over a festive replica postbox.
Robert Wheatley placed the full-sized novelty fibreglass postbox outside his shop Christmas Cracker in Fawkon Walk two weeks ago, spending £400.
A notice on the box invited youngsters to post their letters to Santa.
However, he was asked to take it inside his shop by Royal Mail staff, who said they had received complaints that it was being mistaken for a real postbox.
Mr Wheatley, 40, said: “It’s for kids to put their letters to Santa in.
“It’s a novelty full-size box.
“There’s a sign on it that says ‘post your letters to Santa here’
“No way can it be mistaken for a real postbox.”
He said he had found a small number of letters which had inadvertently been posted in the box, but all had been swiftly re-posted without being opened.
In addition to promoting Mr Wheatley’s store, which opened in mid-October and sells Christmas paraphernalia such as decorations and wrapping paper, it has become something of a landmark.
“The public like it and ask why I took it in,” he explained.
“Lots of people have had their picture taken with it.”
Mr Wheatley said he himself has only received one complaint about the postbox, and appealed for “a little bit of common sense”.
He added: “It’s a shame, you try and do something nice – I don’t understand it.
“They’ve spoiled it for everyone.”
Royal Mail spokeswoman Sally Hopkins said: “Following feedback from customers, Royal Mail has requested the removal of this box as it is not an official
Royal Mail postbox so any mail posted in it would not be collected by us so may not reach the intended addressees.
“This is the last thing we want at Christmas, when we do all we can to ensure all mail is delivered to our customers in time for Christmas.”
She said complaints had been received at the town’s sorting office, but was unable to say how many.
The postbox is still in use, located inside the shop.
Mr Wheatley intends to continue operating the shop after Christmas, converting it into a general store.