The application for a Premises Licence in respect of the shop that would operate the Post Office in Helmsley has been granted.

The Gazette and Herald reported in June that a solution was found to restore a permanent Post Office service to the busy market town.

Since then, work has been carried out to progress with re-opening the facility at the same location of the previous branch, but under new management.

Jagadeesh Kumar, an experienced Postmaster who would manage the Post Office and the convenience store, applied for a Premises Licence. The application has been determined and granted, and the Licence document will be issued imminently.

This comes as a temporary solution has been operating from Helmsley’s Black Swan Hotel since August 2023 after the previous branch that offered a full-time service closed.

Helmsley’s North Yorkshire Councillor, George Jabbour, said: “Today, we have completed another step on the road to restoring a permanent Post Office in our attractive and vibrant market town.

“I am glad that the Premises Licence for the store at 25 Bridge Street has been granted by North Yorkshire Council.

“Everyone continues to do everything possible to ensure that the full-time solution restarts as soon as possible. I am hopeful that everything will go as planned.

“In the meantime, we are thankful to both the Black Swan Hotel and the temporary Postmaster for maintaining the part-time service for the benefit of our local residents and businesses.”