Current Post Office set to close in Princes Risborough (From Bucks Free Press)

Current Post Office set to close in Princes Risborough

3:58pm Tuesday 12th February 2013 in News By Rebecca Cain

THE Post Office in Princes Risborough is set to close, but the company's bosses have assured residents they are working to secure another premises.

The service is currently in Lloyds Pharmacy in the High Street, Princes Risborough but the pharmacy has said it no longer wishes to have it there.

Lloyds gave three months notice to the Post Office at the end of last year but the company is not intent on sticking to this period.

A new applicant has applied to take over the service, but at the moment it is unknown who this is.

Princes Risborough Town Council and Wycombe District Councillor Bill Bendyshe-Brown said he is working closely with the Post Office to try and ensure there is no break in counter service in the town.

He said: "It came as a great shock to learn through rumour that Lloyds Pharmacy had given formal notice of wishing to give up their franchise in Princes Risborough.

"However, I am delighted to learn through the Post Office that they are working closely with Lloyds and hope that they can secure ‘no break’ counter service availability.

"Further, when the new applicant’s details become available we will ensure, as a local community that we work closely with them so that our public suffer no inconvenience through this change in management. We also want to ensure that the existing counter staff are looked after by the new applicant and that they suffer no break in income during this change over".

District and town Cllr Alan Turner said when the delivery office in the town closed last year they were told people would be able to pick up parcels from the Post Office in the High Street, so he hopes this will be able to continue.

He added: "I think it is a great shame it is moving from Lloyds. It is a central point in the High Street. It is easy for people to get in and out of.

"We have anchor stores at each end of the High Street with Tesco at one end and Marks and Spencer on the other.

"Having the Post Office and doctor's surgery and bank in the middle is very important. The real question will be where the new Post Office will be sited."

Spokesman for The Post Office, Kathryn Hollingsworth, said: "The Post Office is committed to maintaining a service in Princes Risborough and we are in discussions with a new applicant now that Lloyds Pharmacy have indicated that they no longer wish to run the Post Office."