Highbridge’s Mayor has spoken of his ‘shock’ at the news that Highbridge Post Office is to close down this month.
As we first reported yesterday, Highbridge Post Office is closing down on October 25th, with the loss of four jobs.
Staff at the Post Office in Church Street, Highbridge were informed of the decision on Tuesday. The closure is a blow to the town with the loss of a key service.
Mayor Cllr Bill Hancock told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This is a shock and it’s very disappointing news.”
“The post office is at the heart of the community and is such a vital facility, especially given that Highbridge doesn’t have any banks.”
“I hope something can be sorted out in the longer term to bring back the post office service to Highbridge.”
A staff member at Highbridge Post Office confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Sadly we will be closing in two weeks’ time, on October 25th, unless someone can be found to take it on during that time.”
She added: “The Post Office was on sale and a new owner had been found, but the sale has fallen through.”
“Four people here will be out of a job when it closes – it’s come as quite a shock, we only found out ourselves on Tuesday.”
Town Clerk Tatiana Cant added: “We are devastated at the news that it’s closing – it is a critical facility for so many people in Highbridge and we are very disappointed.”
And Highbridge Chamber of Trade Chairman Mike Murphy told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We wish the leaseholder well for the future and are very sorry to hear the sale has fallen through.”
“Having a post office is vitally important for Highbridge, not just for those who use it to collect pensions, benefits and post, but also as a last bastion of banking here in the town.”
“I am hoping that another retailer in the town centre may take on the Post Office service instead.”
