Shop customers reassured after ‘frustrating’ delays at post office

Those were the words of the joint-owner of Easebourne Village Stores after the opening of its post office was delayed.

Kirisha Mahadevan has run the business with her husband Vickey since 2018.

She said: “We just want to do our best for the community and support them.

“We want people to understand the situation now it’s been delayed.

“We are losing customers. People are coming but turning around [when they realise the post office is not open].”

Post Office Ltd was unable to confirm why there had been a delay but said it remains ‘in discussion with the retailer’ about opening a post office in Easebourne ‘as soon as possible’.

A spokesperson added: “We are not yet in a position to open the branch.

“A date still needs to be finalised.”

Resident Anthony Knight said the post office was due to open last week.

He said: “We were all looking forward to the reopening of the village post office.

“Unfortunately, due to technical and organisational problems there have been frustrating delays and no-one is now certain of the opening date.”

Mr Knight said the delays have been ‘very trying’
for the Mahadevan family, who have also ‘not been helped’ by the recent wet weather and the threat of flooding.

“The installation of a post office counter has meant some rearrangement of the shop and the loss of some profitable business, so it is important that the opening is not further delayed,” he continued.

“Once the post office is opened and is once more able to serve as a focus of the community it will need regular customers.

“There may be some early restrictions on the services that the new post office can offer but new services will be dependent on demand.

“So, it is up to us, the customers.”