Hullbridge to keep Post Office (From Southend Standard)

Hullbridge looks set to keep Post Office

11:40am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Echo News By Emma Thomas

A VILLAGE looks set to keep its Post Office after fears it would go.

Hullbridge Post Office, in the Budgens convenience store, will close on October 17 and residents were worried it would not be replaced - leaving them with no service.

The post office was taken over by Budgens store in Ferry Road, a year ago after the original office in One Stop closed.

A spokesman for Post Office confirmed they were “confident” a new post office would be opened and there would only be a “short period” that the village would be without a post office.

The spokesman could not confirm where the new post office would be but it is believed it is likely to be in One Stop where it was originally.

Jackie Roles, whose mother-in-law lives in Hullbridge, said the news came as a relief.

She said: “My mother in law is over eighty, has Parkinsons and really did feel she would have a problem collecting her pension and posting the various cards and parcels to her family, especially to Australia as she cannot even manage the bus without assistance. It may seem a little thing sending cards and presents but it means a lot to her, as she doesn't see much of the family in Australia.

“I have relayed the news to her and she is very pleased.”

Michael Hoy, Green councillor for Hullbridge, added: “I think people will be pleased it is going back in the middle of Hullbridge. I have emphasised to the Post Office to keep the break as short as possible.”

MP Mark Francois met with representatives from the Post Office at the House of Commons.

He said: “I impressed upon him how important it is to my constituents that they maintain a post office in Hullbridge one way or another.

“The post office seemed confident they would be able to find some way to provide the service to my constituents and I am sure they will welcome that news as much as I do.”