Community leaders have described their outrage as Post Office services are set to be withdrawn from a Suffolk town by the end of the week. 

Earlier this week it was revealed that Borehamgate Post Office in Sudbury will be closing permanently on Friday.

The branch moved into Borehamgate shopping centre in 2022, following the closure of WHSmith in Market Hill where it had previously been based. 

Laura Smith, who represents Sudbury South West on Babergh District Council, said of the sudden closure: "It's outrageous that people in Sudbury will be left without a Post Office at such short notice.

"My Green colleagues and I will be pressing to find a solution as soon as possible. Sudbury should not be left without this vital service."

Alison Owen, deputy town mayor and Babergh councillor for Sudbury North East, said: "The closure of the Post Office in Sudbury is completely unacceptable.

"As the biggest town in Babergh, Sudbury should have its own post office in the town.

"It’s not too late for them to change their mind and do the decent thing for local residents."

The move would leave the town without a Post Office branch with the nearest alternatives being in Great Cornard and Great Waldingfield.

A Post Office spokesman said: "Unfortunately, the Postmaster for Sudbury has decided to withdraw from offering Post Office services in Sudbury from this Friday.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by this closure at short notice.

"We are currently reviewing service provision for Sudbury and will share a further update as soon as we can." 

This comes after multiple bank closures in the town, including HSBC, which left Market Hill on May 23, and Barclays, also in Market Hill, which closed on July 6. 

Jan Osborne, Sudbury town mayor, said: "Following on from the loss of some of our banks in the town this is yet another blow to those who rely on this service."

East Anglian Daily Times: Jan Osborne, Sudbury mayorJan Osborne, Sudbury mayor (Image: Sudbury Town Council)

Sudbury Post Office was open from 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 4pm on Saturdays.

It offered cash withdrawals, cash deposits, cheque deposits, mail services and bill paying/top up services.