Residents campaigning for post office services to be restored in north Shrewsbury have been dealt a blow after an offer to temporarily re-open a former branch was rejected by Royal Mail officials.
Peter Shemar, who ran Ditherington Post Office in Mount Pleasant Road until August, wanted to re-open his counter for four hours a day from Monday to Friday to serve residents until new premises could be found for the Castlefields branch.
The idea had been backed by borough councillor David Farmer and a number of residents in both Castlefields and Ditherington.
But as the Mount Pleasant Road site was closed as part of last year’s national programme of closures, Royal Mail bosses have said they cannot re-open the branch.
The news has been met with anger by Mr Shemar, who described the news as ‘disheartening’.
Castlefields Post Office in New Park Road closed in September and Royal Mail officials are still in discussions to find a solution.
County councillor Alan Mosley met with Royal Mail official Neil Jenkins this week as part of these plans.
Mr Shemar said: “It’s disappointing and disheartening.
“This would have been the ideal solution.”
Councillor Mosley said: “I’m very disappointed.”
Jaquie Stenson, external relations executive for Royal Mail, said: “The post office in Ditherington closed under the network change programme.
“We could not consider re-opening it as the people there have already been given Government money as compensation.
“We are committed to restoring Post Office services in the Castlefields area,” she added.