Shoppers left stranded after another city post office closes in Stoke-on-Trent

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/convenie ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Shoppers have been left stranded after the closure of yet another city post office.

The Nik-Naks combined post office and convenience store at unit five in Dawlish Drive, Bentilee, will be closing on Monday.

The shop will be located in unit one of the same stretch and will specialise in homeware, including flooring, hardware, pet supplies, garden items, and decorating materials.

But lots of customers are worried about the uncertain future of the post office, which won't be moving with it.

Brian Meredith, aged 68, from Bentilee, said: "I'm sad because I've got to travel a bit further. Where I live in Bentilee, I would have to go to Eaton Park, which is quite a way.

"I've used the shop for quite some time. This stretch of shops is handy. I always come in for my essentials. I'm pleased the shop is going to stay nearby, but I am very disappointed about the post office. They are closing everywhere.

"It's going to be very inconvenient. I go to the post office for my pension, gas, electric and stamps. I'll be travelling all over the place."

Meanwhile, Charles Roberts is also worried about collecting his pension.

Shoppers have been left stranded after the closure of yet another city post office.

The Nik-Naks combined post office and convenience store at unit five in Dawlish Drive, Bentilee, will be closing on Monday.

The shop will be located in unit one of the same stretch and will specialise in homeware, including flooring, hardware, pet supplies, garden items, and decorating materials.

But lots of customers are worried about the uncertain future of the post office, which won't be moving with it.

Brian Meredith, aged 68, from Bentilee, said: "I'm sad because I've got to travel a bit further. Where I live in Bentilee, I would have to go to Eaton Park, which is quite a way.

"I've used the shop for quite some time. This stretch of shops is handy. I always come in for my essentials. I'm pleased the shop is going to stay nearby, but I am very disappointed about the post office. They are closing everywhere.

"It's going to be very inconvenient. I go to the post office for my pension, gas, electric and stamps. I'll be travelling all over the place."

Meanwhile, Charles Roberts is also worried about collecting his pension.

The 78-year-old, from The Meadows Care Home, Bentilee, said: "What am I going to do when I want to collect my pension, and pay bills?

"It's going to be difficult, to me. This is the nearest post office. A lot of people still need to use them, so it seems a pity. I'm pleased they are keeping the shop. I come here often."

Forty-five-year-old Joanne Tyler, from Bentilee, added: "It's a nightmare. I'm going to have to travel. Luckily, I am young enough to do it, but there are a lot of pensioners on the estate so I'm disappointed they've not kept that part. It's not good."

The Post Office is now urging customers to use the nearest branches at Beverley Drive and Eaton Park – but insists it wants to eventually relocate the branch.

A Post Office spokesman said: "Following the resignation of the postmaster, and the withdrawal of the premises for use, Dawlish Drive Post Office will temporarily close at 5.30pm on Monday, March 27.

"We would like to assure customers that we are currently investigating the options available, which will enable us to reinstate a post office service to the local community. In exploring this, it is important that any future service is sustainable for the person operating the service, and for Post Office.

"We know how important post office services are to people in Stoke-on-Trent and we apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused."