IT could be six months before Truro city centre sees its post office replaced after its forthcoming closure at noon on Tuesday (October 6).

The Post Office has confirmed that even though it has heard from retailers interested in hosting the branch that will close with the departure of TG Jones, it can take six months from an operator’s resignation to the opening of a new branch.

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. Neither branch provides the full level of service found in the city centre.

TG Jones will close on Saturday, October 10.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “We fully recognise the challenging trading conditions that TG Jones and many other High Street retailers are facing at the moment.

“TG Jones had its Restructuring Plan approved by the High Court on July 1, which includes seeking new commercial terms with landlords for the majority of its estate. Consequently, TG Jones is closing its Truro store on Tuesday (October 6).

“We know how important our products and services are to the local community. The vacancy has been advertised, and we have heard from interested retailers. We are

currently in the early stages of reviewing applications to run the Post Office branch and we will provide a further update on our plans as soon as possible.

“We want to open a replacement branch as soon as possible, but this can take around six months from an operator’s resignation. In the interim alternative branches include Trelander and Shortlanesend.”

Alun Jones, manager of retailer collective Truro BID, met with the Post office alongside representatives of Truro City Council and Jayne Kirkham MP. “Any downtime without a post office in Truro is very much a concern,” he said.

“However, the Post Office was aware of the situation and had started the process of potentially replacing the premises before the announcement was made. We welcome the applicants that are part of that process and wish them the best of luck.

“We are hopeful they will find a replacement operator and premises as soon as possible, but we do appreciate there is a strong likelihood Truro will be without its main post office for a few more months.”