Downham Market Residents struggle to cope with post office closure

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.klfm967.co.uk/news/klfm-new ... e-closure/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It was the only one in Downham Market and it's now been closed for two months.


Liz Truss the MP for South West Norfolk held an emergency meeting to discuss the future of the town's only post office.

People are being forced to travel to nearby towns to use their services.

Post Office representatives travelled to the town last week.

The MP had called the meeting after post office services failed to be reinstated in the town, despite several requests.

It was held in the Downham Market Town Council offices and allowed councillors to voice their about the effect the closure of the post office was having on residents in the town.

The representative from Post Office Ltd, Ken Penton, apologised for the inconvenience caused and said he expected an announcement next week in relation to the closure.


He also said that there were no mobile vans in the area to serve residents and that installing a temporary post master had not been possible.

Elizabeth Truss commented

"I am glad Post Office Ltd came to meet me and local councillors but quite frankly the way this temporary closure has been managed is not acceptable.

For the past two months residents have been expected to travel to neighbouring villages for their post office services.

I have heard of one pensioner who has had to spend £9 on taxi fares for each visit in order to access their pension money, another in tears because they were worrying how to pay their bills on time or have enough cash for their weekly shop.

This service has fallen well short of what is expected from Post Office Ltd and I have called on the post office to look at compensation for those individuals who have suffered financially as a result of this closure.

Moving forward, I expect more information to be provided next week on the current situation and hopefully we will be in a better position and post office services will be resumed in Downham Market."