The only Post Office in Brantham will close tomorrow, despite an impassioned campaign by villagers and councillors to save it.
The branch is located in an East of England Co-op store in Acacia Court, Blenheim Close, and the shop will stop offering postal services at 10pm.
The Post Office says the reason for the closure is the resignation of the postmaster, however the Co-op claims the counter was not busy enough to justify staying open.
Phil Dunnett, who lives in Birch Drive, Brantham, with his wife, Liz, said many residents were upset about the decision.
The 65-year-old added: “The Brantham Post Office provides a key service, especially for young families, the elderly and infirm.
“Of course it could be argued that the Post Office services in nearby villages and towns could be used instead, but the lack of adequate local transport links makes this difficult.”
Sarah Keys, clerk for Brantham Parish Council, which has appealed against the closure, said the authority was “extremely disappointed” about the move.
She added: “We feel like the village is getting a really bad deal by not having this service.
“There are lots of elderly people without transport who need a Post Office close by.
“Our nearest Post Offices are well over two miles away and not necessarily in walking distance for some people.
“For those people who need to pick up their pension or need other Post Office services, that will no longer be available in the village and I think that will isolate local residents.
“I know lots of people from the village have written to the Co-op and the Post Office – everyone is angry about it.”
A spokeswoman for the Post Office said the company was “committed” to maintaining a Post Office in Brantham and was searching for a retailer in the village to incorporate postal services into their business.
She added: “The postmaster for Brantham has resigned and the branch is due to close tomorrow at 10pm. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of this branch.”
An East of England Co-op spokesman said: “Sadly our Brantham Post Office branch wasn’t being used enough to justify being kept open. Of the 105 hours the service was open a week, the Post Office only did business for six hours.”
The next nearest Post Offices to Brantham are in Manningtree and Lawford.
A Post Office in Heath Road, Ipswich was forced to shut in June when the shop where it was based unexpectedly closed.
Anyone interested in running a Post Office in Brantham should call 0845 266 8790 or email NTquestions@postoffice.co.uk
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