RISHI Sunak MP has called on the Post Office to act quickly to re-open a closed village branch office.
Appleton Wiske community post office, between Northallerton and Yarm, has been closed since January 28 when former postmaster Tony Lawson retired.
A new postmistress – Yvonne Hills – has applied to take over the branch but delays in processing her application means the branch has been closed for a month. Villagers are having to travel to Yarm or Northallerton to use post office services.
Mrs Hills, who has worked in the village shop in which the post office counter is housed for 25 years, has been through security clearance procedures and has submitted a business plan to the Post Office but is waiting for a decision.
Mr Sunak has written to the chief excecutive of the Post Office, Paula Vennels, asking that the Post Office makes a decision quickly.
He said: “I am aware of the concern in the village about this highly valued branch which doesn’t just serve Appleton Wiske but also the communities at Welbury, Hornby, Picton, Deighton, Great Smeaton and the Harlseys. They are currently great inconvenienced by the closure.
“I understand Mr Lawson gave his required three months’ notice in September last year. Given that there is somebody willing to take on the post office, it seems strange that there is such a delay. I urge the Post Office to act soon.”
Since the closure in January, the shop in which the post office counter is housed has only been open mornings. Mrs Hills believes the shop is not viable without the post office.