Relief as Chesham Post Office finally re-opens

The branch, in High Street, had been due to re-open on Monday after closing unexpectedly in November.

But would-be customers had to be turned away until today after the store's computer system could not be connected to a national network.

However it re-opened again this morning – with five customers being served within the first five minutes.

Problems over the leasehold of the premises had led to the closure on Friday November 13, leaving residents with no option but to use other branches in Amersham and Great Hivings.

The closure came without warning, with a simple handwritten note on the door passing on the news.

Chesham Mayor Justine Fulford said residents had had to wait “less than patiently” for the re-opening.

She told the Bucks Free Press: “There was a certain air of resignation on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – I think people had lost faith.

“It was a genuine problem that was beyond the control of the Post Office and we accept their apologies.”

The Post Office will remain in High Street at least until a permanent sub-postmaster is found. After that it could move if an alternative venue is proposed, but only after a 14-week public consultation.

Members of Chesham Town Council agreed on Monday to consider hosting the branch at the council offices.

Cllr Fulford said: “We agreed at the town council to set up a working party to investigate hosting the Post Office in the town council premises to ensure the security of the tenure and to make sure it [the closure] is unlikely to happen again.”

She added: “They have promised us it will stay there as long as possible.”

A statement from Post Office Ltd said: “Post Office Ltd would like to apologise to our customers in Chesham for the delay to the re-opening of the Post Office.

“This was due to an IT problem and our contractors have been working round the clock to resolve the matter.

“We are however delighted that the office has re-opened today.”