Update issued on reopening of Helmsley Post Office

As reported by the Gazette and Herald, the Costcutter in the town, which also offered vital post office services, closed in August without prior notice.

Staff were informed of the closure the night before via text message.

Since then, a temporary solution was installed in the town following a protest organised by Helmsley’s County Councillor, George Jabbour, with residents of Helmsley.

Despite the significant demand on this service, this temporary solution came to an end last week (November 7).

The temporary solution was installed following a protest by Cllr George Jabbour (pictured) (Image: Cllr George Jabbour)

This has left the town, once again, with no postal service.

Now, Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, has said there has been ‘advanced negotiations with a potential purchaser’ of the town’s Costcutter and ‘optimism that they will agree terms shortly.’

Mr Hollinrake added: “Possibility of reopening within the next two to three weeks. Will update as situation develops.”

Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton (Image: Agency)

This could mean that post office services are restored to the town within weeks.

Cllr Jabbour, said: "As a community, we are desperately hopeful that the advanced negotiations with the potential purchaser will lead to the reopening of the Post Office as soon as possible.

"However, we also recognise that we have had several disappointments since the closure of the Post Office.”

A Post Office spokesperson said: “We have an interested retailer who wants to re-open the Post Office in Helmsley."

The spokesperson confirmed that there are no immediate plans to re-introduce the temporary solution to Helmsley.

"We are focussing our attention on trying to restore a full-time Post Office in Helmsley as soon as possible,” they said.

In response to the Post Office's statement, Cllr Jabbour said: "I am appalled that the Post Office has not learned the lessons of their repeated failures. 

"First, we were informed that the intention was for the Post Office to reopen within seven days. Then, it was two weeks.

"On September 8, 2022, the Post Office wrote that they 'can say with a high degree of confidence' that the Post Office will reopen on September 9. 

"Later, they wrote that they 'have re-scheduled the opening' for September 16. 

"We are now in November, and we still do not have a Post Office.

"As mentioned before, we are all desperately hopeful that the latest attempt to restore full-time Post Office services in Helmsley succeed. 

"However, what happens if the Post Office fails again? 

"It is not wise for them to put all their eggs in one basket, especially after all what our community had to go through. 

"They must do the right thing, stop taking the people of Helmsley for granted and introduce another temporary solution until we have a permanent location for the Post Office in Helmsley."

The Gazette and Herald has approached Costcutter for a comment, and we will publish it when it is received.