A COUNCILLOR has hit out at the ‘incompetence’ of the Post Office for its failure to restore postal services to Helmsley.
As reported by the Gazette and Herald, the Post Office in Helmsley closed in August without prior warning.
A temporary solution was then installed in the town following a protest organised by Helmsley’s County Councillor, George Jabbour.
Despite the significant demand on this service, this temporary solution came to an end in November.
When this temporary solution was cancelled a spokesperson for the Post Office told the Gazette and Herald: “We have an interested retailer who wants to re-open the Post Office in Helmsley."
The spokesperson confirmed that there were no immediate plans to re-introduce the temporary solution to Helmsley.
Their response was met with incredulity by Cllr Jabbour, who reminded them of their record of repeated failure in Helmsley and urged them to reconsider their decision to terminate the temporary Post Office solution.
Now, Helmsley still does not have a permanent Post Office nor a temporary solution.
Ahead of Christmas, Cllr Jabbour said: “We knew this would happen!
“Because of the shocking level of incompetence, the egregious lack of accountability and the sheer arrogance of managers within the Post Office, we had anticipated that they would let us down again and that services would not return to Helmsley in time for Christmas.
“Their failure to establish another service before cancelling the Post Office mobile branch was inexcusable.
“While they had already apologised for the current mess-up, this is not enough.
“Managers must be held to account for the consequences of their decisions, especially when they refuse to heed warnings.
“Some elderly residents are having to take a two-hour round bus trip in this cold weather to post Christmas cards and gifts to loved ones, others are having to rely on friends and neighbours or on taking taxis.
“Businesses are unable to fulfil their orders at this critical time of the year.
“Pensioners are having difficulties withdrawing their money.
“The Post Office must change course and immediately re-introduce a temporary solution in Helmsley until a permanent full-time provision is operating.”
A Post Office spokesperson said: “We know how important a Post Office is to this community and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by the closure of this Post Office and ending the temporary service that had been offered.
“The temporary Mobile Post Office service that operated for a few weeks was not sustainable.
“The shop, where the Post Office was based, unexpectedly closed in August.
“We have kept the Post Office equipment in situ and there is an interested retailer who wants to re-open the shop and Post Office.
“We are working hard to provide a full-time solution as soon as possible.
“Ampleforth and Kirkbymoorside are the closest Post Offices to Helmsley, however we recognise the distance required to travel to them.”
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