THE team behind the reopening of Frome’s main post office are urging the community to support the facility.
The post office service – which closed at the end of June – reopened earlier this month in its original location in the Westway shopping centre.
It has been temporarily taken over by the postmaster at Portway Post Office, Sarah Wilkins, who as well as continuing to oversee the Portway Post Office, will manage the Westway branch for the next six months.
The Post Office is continuing its search for a permanent solution.
Sarah said, “The opening of Westway as a temporary branch, whilst a new sponsor and home for the permanent replacement is found, has been challenging. The previous occupants, Co-op, ripped out most of the interior, but the team are keen to serve you.
“Also, the income is not sufficient to run an economically viable business, so this is only possible due to the landlord offering a peppercorn rent whilst the building remains unleased.
“Even then, it is important people use it over the next six months for it to continue after February. Please remember, just like the well-known saying “a post office is not just for Christmas,” so support your local independent businesses.”
The reopening of the service has been welcomed by Frome Town Council, who have also echoed Sarah’s message to the community to support the service.
Cllr Mark Dorrington said, “The team has made such a sterling effort in reopening this great community asset, we applaud all your hard work and determination. Now we need the customers use this valuable resource, as it’s important people use it over the next six months for it to continue after February.”
About the services on offer, Sarah Wilkins explains, “All normal Post Office services are available and we hope online services – such as driving licence renewal, passport and ID provision – will be available by the end of October. In the meantime, both Post Office teams – at Westway and Portway – can help with the manual version of all of these.
“And a reminder that both branches can offer withdrawals, balances and deposits for most high street banks, giving free access to cash during normal opening hours.
“Also, currency is now available in the form of travel money, cards and cash. Euros and US Dollars are available in branch, with most other currencies available to order – card payments will require photo ID.”
The Westway branch closed temporarily in June this year following the resignation of operators, Radstock Co-op, who also closed its food store.
The closure left Frome with two outlying Post Office branches – Portway and Rodden Road.
Post Office network provision lead, Antoinette Chitty said, “We know how important a Post Office is to a community and we are delighted to have restored a temporary service in Frome whilst we continue to seek a permanent solution.”
The Westway opening hours are Monday to Friday: 10am – 3.30pm; Saturday: 9am – 12.30pm.
