Somerset town could be left without post office amid shop closure plans

Portishead could be left without a post office after news that McColls is to close its store in the town. Retail giant Morrisons has announced it is to close 132 of its McColls stores across the UK which it bought earlier this year in a rescue deal.

The McColls store in Portishead High Street – which houses the town’s Post Office – is amongst those earmarked for closure. The outlet is the only post office in the town and often sees larges queues.

There was previously a post office at the marina but that closed a few years ago. Portishead is the second biggest town in North Somerset with the local community now fearing they will have to drive to Pill several miles away to the nearest post office.

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Local councillor Caritas Charles has contacted North Somerset Council asking authority bosses to contact the Post Office to seek reassurances that provision in the town will be protected. Councillor Charles said: “The loss of the last local post office in Portishead would be a huge blow to a town of nearly 30,000 people.

“It is a vital service for many, especially those without access to online services. The post office must do all it can to protect this vital resource.”

Portishead Post Office will remain open in the run up to Christmas and is due to close in the New Year. A Post Office spokesperson said: “We regret to confirm that Morrisons have taken the difficult decision to close some McColl’s stores that hosted Post Offices, due to the unprofitability of the retail in that store, not helped by the difficult high street conditions facing retailers.

“Portishead Post Office is expected to remain open throughout the Christmas period and will close in the New Year. We will undertake an assessment of the local area and will be working closely with nearby postmasters to support them with the likely increase in footfall for both their Post Office and their own retail services and will review requirements for the local community.

“Pill Post Office is an alternative branch that customers can use in the New Year but we do acknowledge that it is a 30 minute bus journey away.”

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