Much-loved Langley Records store told to vacate site for Royal Mail development

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In March, Royal Mail won a planning appeal to develop staff toilets and a customer service point at the West Molesey site.

Vinyl store Langley Records has been told to vacate its 43-year home in West Molesey by the end of August.

Landlord Royal Mail confirmed a date of August 31 has been agreed with 80-year-old owner Geoff Langley to move out of his Walton Road shop.

It has also been revealed that legal proceedings between Royal Mail and Mr Langley regarding a long-standing lease dispute have been called to a halt.

In March, Royal Mail won an appeal it lodged with the planning inspectorate to develop staff toilets and a customer service point at the site.

An original application was refused by Elmbridge Borough Council in July last year.

Sally Hopkins, from Royal Mail, said: “Having received planning consent to create a modern customer service point for our customers in Esher and Molesey, as well as improve facilities for our people who work there, we offered Mr Langley a vacation date of August 31 2016 and he agreed this date.

“Royal Mail is pleased that Mr Langley decided to discontinue his court proceedings against the company and we are now planning for work to start on the premises once we have vacant possession.”

Mr Langley admitted moving around 30,000 vinyl albums, 15,000 CDs and 12,000 cassettes would be no easy task, especially at his age.

He said: “I’ve got two options, one is to move all this lot but it would be an absolute nightmare.

“It’s massive, there’s not a shop anywhere in the area that could cater for this.

“We are trying to find some where else but at my age I don’t want to try again.

“The second is to sell the stock, I wouldn’t mind doing that. It’s all in really good nick, we chuck out all the damaged stuff.”

Mr Langley has tried writing to the Queen for support, and continues to raise questions about the way he has been treated by Royal Mail.

“They haven’t advised my two children about what’s happening, and they own 50% of the store – it must be a secret,” he said.

“You’re never able to speak to a person if you contact Royal Mail, everything is through letters.”