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Council chiefs have joined the hunt for a new premises for Portishead Post Office. The post office – the only one in the town – closed in January after McColls in the High Street, where it was based, shut its doors.
Portishead is the second biggest town in North Somerset with a population expected to reach 30,000 when all the developments are complete. For the last five months, people have had to travel miles to Pill, Nailsea or Clevedon to use a post office until a new operator can be found.
Post Office Limited began searching for a new franchisee to take over the post office, perhaps in an existing business, in January. The estimated fee payable for taking over the service is between £72,900 and £81,000 a year.
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As yet, no one has come forward and shown an interest in taking on the role. The deadline for applications was originally set for the beginning of May.
Post Office bosses now say they will continue to advertise the franchise in the hope someone will come forward. North Somerset Council is now also helping with the search in finding a suitable premises.
A North Somerset Council spokesman said: “The post office is an important facility in the town so we are supporting them with trying to identify a suitable building.”
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A petition has also been launched calling for a post office service to be reinstated. The petition, set up by resident Derek Wilks, has already been signed by nearly 1,700 people.
A spokesman for the Post Office said: “The vacancy for Portishead is advertised, however, at this stage we have no applicants. We would be keen to hear from local retailers about taking on the opportunity. Our field team has also visited the area.
“We will continue to advertise the vacancy. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure. In the interim alternative branches include Pill, Avonmouth Road, The Triangle and Nailsea.”
Even if someone does come forward, the process for setting up a new franchise can be lengthy, meaning the town could be without a facility for the majority of 2023. The news comes at the same time as the possibility of launching a community post office is being mooted.
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