Residents have urged businesses to alleviate Epsom's plight and provide a home for a secure, permanent post office service after the unexpected closure of the High Street franchise.

Stamford Ward Residents’ Association has also urged concerned residents to contact the Post Office directly, stating why Epsom needs a local branch.

Doubt was initially cast over the long-term future of the branch, run out of the Costcutter in High Street, when signs appeared in the window announcing it would be temporarily closed in January.

But two months on, a new town centre branch has yet to be re-opened.

From January: Post Office in Epsom High Street 'faces permanent closure' after leaseholder served with winding up order

Courier services are run from East Street, Epsom, but the closure of the High Street branch – which offered a full post office service – has made everything from cashing cheques and giros to collecting mail and sending parcels in Epsom more difficult.

Joe Lambert, chairman of Stamford Ward Residents Association said: “There has been a lot of public concern about the post office, particularly from people of a certain generation who would like the comfort of a post office. They would like to see it open again.

“There is a need for security, because of the handling of cash, and a strong broadband connection, so it is not a trivial matter (as to where a branch could be located).

“I would hope some of the bigger players in the town see what the plight of many residents is, and would hope they would like to house a franchise.”

The leaseholder of the branch at 74-76 High Street, Community Brokers International, was wound up at the High Court of Justice (Chancery Division) in Bristol on January 19.

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Community Brokers International’s listing on Companies House states that its accounts and annual returns are overdue, and there is an ‘active proposal to strike (it) off’

After the winding up order, the Post Office rejected an offer of a new lease, the site’s landlord, Primeco, said, but a post office spokeswoman would not confirm or deny or the rejection.

Dorah May Hancock, chief officer of Age Concern Epsom and Ewell, echoed Mr Lambert’s desire for a stable service to be provided in the town.

She said: "Age Concern Epsom & Ewell hopes that a full Post Office service will be restored in Epsom town centre as quickly as possible.

"This is of particular importance to the older people who live in the borough who may not easily be able to travel elsewhere for services that are very important to them."

A Post Office spokesperson, said: "We are working hard to try to restore Post Office service to Epsom as soon as possible.

"A range of locations are being considered.

"Post Office would like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of the branch.”

The Post Office spokeswoman meanwhile advised that the nearest alternative post offices are:

  • West Ewell, 248 Chessington Road, Epsom, KT19 9XF
  • Ewell Post Office, 4-5 Market Parade, High Street, Epsom, KT17 1SL
  • Poole Road Post Office, 53 Poole Road, Epsom, KT19 9SQ
  • Drift Bridge Post Office, 213 Fir Tree Road, Epsom, KT17 3LB
  • Ashtead Post Office, 39 The Street, Ashtead, KT21 1AA
  • Ewell Court, 179 Kingston Road, Epsom, KT19 0AA (Passport check & send)
  • Sutton Post Office, 19 Grove Road, Sutton, SM1 1DX (for AEI machine)

To tell the Post Office why Epsom needs a branch, visit: http://www.postoffice.co.uk/contact-us-complaint