TRURO politicians and retail representatives will continue to “chase” the Post Office on progress to find a central venue to host its TG Jones branch, which is scheduled to close at noon today (Tuesday, October 6).

The Post Office has confirmed it could be six months before the city centre sees its post office replaced while an alternative franchisee is sought. In the meantime, customers are being directed to Trelander Post Office, in a residential area the other side of a busy dual carriageway, and Shortlanesend village two miles away.

Jayne Kirkham MP, Cornwall and city councillor Steven Webb, and Alun Jones, manager of retailer collective Truro BID, met Post Office representatives in August. “On that occasion, we set out what we needed and made it clear that Trelander was not a viable alternative to the city-centre branch,” said Ms Kirkham.

“The Post Office said they were at a stage of visiting applicants to ensure they were viable propositions. They are still at that stage now, so I have to conclude that when it shuts on October 6, there will be a gap in Post Office services. As a team, the councillors, BID and I will be chasing to make sure that gap is as short as possible.”

Cllr Webb described the delay “mind-blowing”, adding: “They have known for so much time that this is going to happen, but I understand the technicalities. I’d prefer they take six months and have a decent post office, than rush it and be in the same position in 12 months’ time.”

Cllr Webb continued: “The ideal scenario would be a stand-alone post office like we used to have, but that’s a romantic idea nowadays. The Post Office model is a franchise with someone else to host and run it. That’s the nature of the business at the moment, and we have to work with that.”