CAMPAIGNERS say a decision to keep a post office closed is a blow to the community.

Bosses say the temporary branch in Western Road, Hove, will remain shut.

They are “unable to restore a service locally” and said no one has come forward to run the branch.

In a letter to customers, Post Office manager Graham Brander said: “We have been exploring our options for restoring a Post Office service to our customers in the area.

“The vacancy in Western Road was advertised on our website and a member of the field team has also personally visited the area, but so far we have received no interest or formal applications for the position.

The Argus:

The closed temporary Crown Post Office on the right, which used to be in the space now occupied by the property agency 

“Unfortunately, we have been unable to identify a suitable solution and I’m therefore writing to you and other local representatives to advise you that as there have been no suitable opportunities to re-establish a service, this branch will remain closed.”

Green Party city councillors Hannah Clare and Phelim Mac Cafferty represent the Brunswick Town ward where service was located and have raised their concerns over the latest decision.

Cllr Mac Cafferty said the Post Office previously made a “penny pinching” decision to close the permanent branch two doors away in 2015.

He said: “We have been troubled by the lack of communication from the Post Office to both councillors and residents and this announcement comes as yet another blow to the community.”

Read more on this story: Plans to close Western Road Post Office in Hove (from 2015)

Cllr Clare said: “The last few months have shown how important it is to have local services, like post offices, that are accessible to all members of the community.

“In light of the pandemic, residents have hugely valued local shops and services and we have to do all we can to continue to fight for our local shopping areas, like that in Brunswick Town.

The Argus:

Hove councillors Phelim Mac Cafferty and Hannah Clare

“Even though the most recent branch was no little match for a Crown Post office in terms of the services it provided, it still provided a vital community asset that is thoroughly missed.”

It follows the closure of the branch two doors away in Western Road in 2015 on the grounds it was “no longer commercially sustainable”.

Read more on The Argus: Post office launches cash delivery service

That decision was challenged when more than 5,000 people signed a petition which was raised in Parliament by Hove and Portslade Labour MP Peter Kyle.

The Green Party representatives say they remain committed to keeping services available for residents.