DESPITE the best efforts of local councillors, Wellington’s main post office in High Street will be closing in 24 days.

The post office, housed in the One Stop store, is closing on Saturday, August 10, with the store shutting on Saturday, August 24. About 15 jobs in total are thought to be affected.

Although the Post Office describes it as a temporary closure, it is difficult to see anyone taking over the franchise because it makes very little profit, if any, despite long queues, particularly on Mondays.

Plenty of premises are suitable for the post office but no-one has come forward to take over the franchise which would cost between £62,000 and £70,000 a year. The margin of profit after overheads would be about £2 an hour. Customers will have to use the post office at Rockwell Green when the High Street premises closes. Tesco owns the One Stop shop and wants to sell it.

County and town councillor John Thorne said: “We [the council] are concerned about the closure of both businesses and it will be on the agenda of the next council meeting on Monday, August 5. We have contacted various businesses in the town, Perrys, the Co-op and Smiths, but they are not interested. There is not a lot the council can do if no-one is prepared to take on the franchise.”

Andrew Govier, who is also a town and county councillor, said: “We have tried different options and it will be discussed at our next council meeting. No-one seems to have an answer. Everyone seems aware of the situation but no-one is in a position to do anything about it.”

The WWN broke the news last August that the One Stop and the post office would be closing.

What do you think about the prospect of Wellington losing its post office? Write to [email protected]