Billericay post office to re-open in Colebys Jewellers

The town’s post office, based in the High Street One Stop shop, was due to close in November after the business handed in its notice to the landlord.

Residents and councillors launched a campaign in the announcement pleading with Post Office bosses to ensure a new home was found on the High Street.

Now, it has been confirmed it will move into the former Colebys Jewellers and open on November 4.

Tory Billericay East councillor, Andrew Schrader said: “It is a huge relief, it was not by any means easy. The bureaucracy around it was was unreal but we managed to get there in the end.

“There are a few details to be ironed out and we have got a new postmaster on board. I was hoping it would be smooth and there will be a couple of days interruption but I take this as a win.

“It was not a certainty, there was so much that had to align for the whole thing to work and it had to be signed off by Royal Mail and the Post Office and we had to find someone willing to offer the space.

“At points I was less confident than I would’ve liked to have been, through no lack of trying. It has taken months of regular meetings with the Post Office, facilitated by John Baron’s office. We had constructive meetings and the Post Office were really good.

“The economic development team at the council were also really proactive and I don’t know if it would have come off if those guys hadn’t been pushing and making the right introductions.

“We got there and the move will be almost completely seamless.”

The original Post Office in the One Shop will close on Saturday, November 2, with the new Post Office opening just days later on Monday, November 4, at 1pm.

A spokesman said: “We are pleased to confirm that a new operator has been appointed, who has identified an alternative location to operate Billericay Post Office at a new store.

“This will maintain Post Office service to the community.

“Billericay will continue to operate as a main style Post Office offering a wide range of Post Office services. where it will continue to operate as one of our main style branches.”

The opening hours will be from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, offering 54 hours total of service.