A TOWN post office is set for ‘temporary closure’ following the resignation of the postmaster.

Masefield Road Post Office, in Braintree, is due to shut its door later in January.

A letter to customers, from partner account manager Damien Haydock, it said the post office is set to close on January 31 at 5.30pm.

It read: “We are writing to inform you that, regrettably, following the resignation of the postmaster and the withdrawal of the premises for Post Office use, the above branch will be closing temporarily on Tuesday, January 31 at 17.30.

“The provision of a post office service to our customers in the local community is important to us, and we will continue to work hard to restore services in the area as soon as possible.”

The letter continued: “We would welcome any applications from potential retail partners interested in running a branch locally on our behalf.

“The vacancy is currently being advertised on our website runapostoffice.co.uk and applications will be carefully considered.

“If you are aware of any interested parties, please do share the link with them.

“I would like to assure you that we are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a post office service to the local community.

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“In exploring this, it is important that any future service is sustainable for the person operating the service, and for Post Office Limited.

“Future provision will reflect customer numbers and usage and we may take the opportunity to establish an alternative type of service.

“This may be a local style branch which runs alongside an established retail shop in newly refurbished premises and creates a more modern and convenient experience for customers.”

A Post Office spokesman said: "We can confirm that Masefield Road Post Office off Challis Lane will close on Tuesday, January 31, at 5.30pm.

"We want to apologise for the inconvenience to our customers.

"However, Braintree Road post office is located less than a mile away and is open Monday to Saturday between 8am to 5.30pm.

"Also located nearby is Jubilee Oak post office which is open Monday to Friday between 10am and 5pm and on Saturdays between 9am and 1pm.”