Epsom town centre is to have a post office again, more than five months after the High Street branch closed.

Three full-screen counters will be run at a temporary branch in Epsom Town Hall reception from 1pm on Thursday, July 20, until a permanent location is found, the Post Office confirmed today.

The temporary branch will offer services from cash withdrawals to car tax renewal, and from sending funds abroad to paying bills, it added.

Residents had urged businesses to come forwards to provide a home for a branch in the town since the unexpected closure of the High Street franchise in January.

From March: Stamford Ward Residents Association urge businesses to house Epsom post office franchise after branch's shock closure

Courier services run from East Street, Epsom, but the closure of the branch in the Costcutter in Epsom High Street – which offered a full post office service – had made everything from cashing cheques and giros to collecting mail and sending parcels in Epsom more difficult.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, meanwhile, had worked with the Post Office to secure a branch in the town

Councillor Eber Kington, chair of the council’s strategy and resources committee, today welcomed the announcement.

He said: “Offering the town hall as a temporary location whilst a permanent home is found will enable those who rely on this essential service to carry on as before.

“We are very aware that many of Epsom’s elderly residents, and those without internet access to manage their financial affairs, were finding the absence of a town centre post office quite difficult to manage, so this arrangement is most welcome.”

Signs announcing a ‘temporary closure’ had appeared in the window of the High Street branch in January, casting doubt over the long-term future of the branch.

The leaseholder of the branch at 74-76 High Street, Community Brokers International, was wound up at the High Court of Justice (Chancery Division) in Bristol in January.

From January: Post Office in Epsom High Street 'faces permanent closure' after leaseholder served with winding up order

Residents had been advised to use services in Ewell, Ashtead and Sutton after the closure.

Michael Brennan, Post Office area manager, today said: “We have been working hard to try to restore Post Office services to central Epsom as quickly as possible as the previous branch closed at short notice for reasons beyond our control.

“The community will join us in welcoming the re-opening of the branch.

“We are very appreciative of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council making premises available for Post Office use.”

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