No banking in Budleigh Salterton for 10 weeks

Budleigh Salterton Town Council explored setting up a temporary "pop up" service but it was not possible for security reasons

The Post Office counter in Budleigh Salterton's Co-Op has been closed for around 10 weeks, leaving residents without access to banking services.

The company said due to "extensive building work" the branch needed to close temporarily and it expected the counter to reopen on 10 June.

Emma Paver, the manager of the nearby DAAT charity shop, said: "It's going to have implications on the whole town but predominantly the older generation who rely on it."

A spokesperson for the Post Office said they "apologise for any inconvenience that this temporary closure may cause" and alternative branches were at Littleham Cross and Brixington."

'Security requirements'

Residents of Budleigh Salterton have shared their concerns.

Angela Raisbeck, who is blind, said: "I rely on the Post Office if I need to get money out.

"I feel safer getting my money out from a secure place rather than a cash machine."

Sue Pearl said: "We do have a car and we can go to Brixington, but I'm thinking of all the people who aren't so mobile and who need the Post Office because we have no banks."

June Guyan said: "You're going to have to go to Sidmouth or Exmouth and a lot of people can't do it".

Budleigh Salterton Town Council said they explored setting up a ''pop-up" Post Office but a number of security requirements meant it was not possible to progress the idea.