Preliminary discussions have taken place between local councillors and the new owner of the old ‘One Stop’ shop about the possibility of the premises being used as a post office.

It follows reports in the WWN a couple of weeks ago that the new owner, Michael Tucker, was open to suggestions for the shop and felt that a post office was needed in the town.

County councillor for Wellington and Rockwell Green Andrew Govier said: “I have had a conversation with the new owner and it is clear that he would be open to the idea of a post office being sited in there, if a suitable commercial partner could be found.

“It is obvious that a stand-alone post office isn’t commercially viable and there would need to be another retail business alongside one. I don’t know if there will be interest from another business but at least we have started a dialogue.”

Cllr Govier stressed that he did not think that anything would happen very quickly but felt that establishing the willingness of the owner to discuss the possibility was a positive development.

“The town council has held a series of meetings to try to get a new post office established in the town but finding a suitable building and someone willing to run one has proved elusive.

Cllr Govier added: “I know that local residents are extremely frustrated that we have been without a post office for such a long time. I’m afraid that the economics of post offices these days make it very difficult to justify re-opening.

“That said, as a council we are acutely aware that many local residents, particularly the elderly and local businesses, rely on the services they provide.

“We have made it clear that we are willing to play a part, including potentially through financial support, in putting a package together that could see one open. This site with its history would obviously be ideal if we can get a partner to work with us.”