Helmsley Post Office temporary solution cancelled

A mobile Post Office was set up in Helmsley in October as a temporary solution to restore postal services to the town following the sudden closure of the Costcutter, which also offered essential Post Office services.

As reported by the Gazette and Herald, the Costcutter closed without prior warning, with members of staff being made aware of the news the night before via text message.

The mobile service acted as a temporary solution to the closure and visited Helmsley's Market Square three days a week, offering parcel drop offs, cash deposits and cash withdrawals.

Its launch came after a protest, organised by George Jabbour, Councillor for the Helmsley and Sinnington division on North Yorkshire County Council, against the decision to close the Post Office without prior warning, with residents of Helmsley.

Residents met with Cllr George Jabbour outside the Helmsley Post Office on September 29. Picture: George Jabbour (Image: George Jabbour)

Despite the significant demand on this service, this temporary solution has now come to an end.

A spokesperson for the Post Office told Cllr Jabbour, on Friday, November 4: “I am sorry to advise that as of next week customers will need to access Post Office services at one of our alternative branches including Ampleforth, Nunnington Mobile Service and Kirkbymoorside.”

The spokesperson said they are ‘currently exploring a potential alternative solution for the area,’ but said ‘this is yet to be confirmed.’

“Please pass on my sincere apologies for the inconvenience this causes to the community,” the spokesperson added.

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Cllr Jabbour said: “The Post Office must implement an alternative solution immediately.  They made a big mistake by failing to establish another service before cancelling the Post Office mobile branch.

“While they have already apologised for the current situation, this is not enough.  Actions speak louder than words, and the responsibility of the current mess-up lie with the Post Office.”

Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said the announcement was ‘disappointing, especially when promises have not been delivered.’

Mr Hollinrake said: “(I’m) very disappointed by (the announcement) and will be raising that with the Post Office directly.”

Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said the announcement was ‘disappointing, especially when promises have not been delivered.’ (Image: Supplied)