Yesterday I received frustrating and disappointing news from Post Office Ltd. They informed me that the temporary porta cabin Post Office for Heathfield will not now be able to operate for structural reasons.
I had long discussions with Post Office Ltd yesterday regarding this dire news. It is now clear that the temporary Post Office solution for Heathfield cannot go ahead due to structural issues on the preferred site. This is incredibly frustrating since everyone has worked so hard to restore these vital services for Heathfield residents.
I have asked the Post Office to focus all their efforts into finding a permanent solution for Heathfield. To this end, I was pleased to learn that an applicant with local standing is now being put through the application process and this will be prioritised to ensure that a Post Office can open as soon as possible. However, the Post Office advise me that a realistic timetable for completing the whole process is no earlier than February next year.
As far as the former Heathfield Post Office site is concerned, I’m informed by Post Office Ltd that the complexities of the lease and the legal issues involved would likely make it impossible for any applicant to re-open in the former branch. The Post Office do not own this shop.
The Post Office also informed me that the situation in Heathfield has been exceptional for them and they have never before faced such difficulties across their entire network. I will continue to do everything I can to press them for action and will work with your locally elected councillors to support them with resolving this issue as quickly as possible. However, the Post Office is a private business and my powers of intervention are limited.