Confusion over location of new Post Office service

The Post Office said it was due to open a "lighter, flexible branch" at a new site in Leiston, but the new location owner said that was not the case

There is confusion over the location of a new Post Office "drop and collect" service.

The Post Office announced in a letter that it was going to open the new service in Leiston, Suffolk, at LB Shotter & Sons' petrol station on 20 November after the previous full branch in the town shut down.

However, LB Shotter & Sons said while it had been approached by the Post Office, it had declined the offer as it already handled packages from other providers.

A spokesperson for the Post Office apologised for the "premature announcement" and it reassured customers it was working to put in place a new service.

"Plans for a lighter format Drop & Collect Post Office at LB Shotter & Sons is not proceeding at this current time," the spokesperson said.

"We are in discussions with the owners about the possibility of this branch opening at a later date. We apologise for the premature announcement.

"We would like to reassure customers that we are looking to replace Leiston Post Office which unexpectedly closed last month when the store, where the branch was based, shut.

"We are currently advertising that vacancy and we would welcome interest from local retailers."

LB Shotter & Sons' shop said it had asked the Post Office to take down its statement

The former post office on Sizewell Road closed in October after the Coopers hardware store it was based inside ceased trading.

Coopers closed its shops across Norfolk and Suffolk because of financial challenges.

Afterwards, East Suffolk Council wrote to the firm's local area change manager urging them to open a new branch.

The Post Office's letter posted on its website about the new facility in LB Shotter & Sons said it would deal with pre-paid mail and bill payments but not services like personal and business banking.

LB Shotter & Sons said it had asked for the Post Office statement to be taken down.

Meanwhile, Halesworth Town Council said it had contacted the Post Office to ask what provisions would be put in place, after its branch inside a different Coopers store also shut last month.

The Post Office said it was looking for a new retailer in Halesworth to take on the service, with an online advert running until 19 November.