Bury St Edmunds Post Office Set to Close

I was recently informed that the Bury St Edmunds Post Office branch will be closing on Wednesday 30 September. This is due to a restructuring plan by TG Jones (formerly WHSmith), the Post Office’s retail partner, which will see some of their stores closing.

This is disappointing news, especially because we saw a similar situation earlier in the year in Elmswell, where the site remains out of action without a postmaster.

Upon hearing the news, last week, I contacted the Post Office to express my concerns about the provision of postal services for Bury St Edmunds residents. As we saw with Elmswell, Post Offices are a source of reliability and stability for residents young and old, but particularly those who are vulnerable.

I am very aware that the need for a Post Office in the town centre is not just a convenience but a necessity for many people in Bury. The nearest alternatives have been signposted as Hardwick Post Office (3 Hardwick Shopping Centre, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2RH - approximately 1.2 miles from the Bury branch) and Moreton Hall Post Office (Moreton Hall Community Centre, Symonds Road, IP32 7EW - approximately 1.6 miles from the Bury branch). This is less than ideal for many older people, disabled residents and those without access to a car.

I'm pleased to see that there is now a consultation open, and they are looking to find an alternative provider in the town centre. I hope that a replacement is found imminently, without causing too much inconvenience for residents.

You can find more details about the closure and the consultation here: https://www.postofficeviews.co.uk/national-consultation-team/bury-st-edmunds-ip33-1dy-178112/. You can also email your views to Comments@postoffice.co.uk.