ADDINGHAM’S Post Office is to temporary close following the resignation of the postmaster, it has been announced.

The premises at 100 Main Street have been withdrawn from use by the Post Office, who have said the branch will close on Wednesday February 7 at 12.30pm.

In a letter to residents the Post Office said that applications are being welcomed from potential retail partners interested in running a local branch, and that the vacancy is being advertised on the Post Office website, www.runapostoffice.co.uk

The letter says: “The provision of a Post Office service to our customers in the local community is important to us, and we will continue to work hard to restore services in the area as soon as possible.”

The statement adds: “I would like to assure you that we are working hard to keep any period of closure to a minimum and we are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community.

“In exploring this, it is important that any future service is sustainable for the person operating the service, and for Post Office Limited.

“We apologise for the inconvenience the temporary closure may cause. We hope that our customers will continue to use Post Office services. The latest available branch information can be found on our website, www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder"

Posters will be displayed in the branch in the run up to the closure informing customers about the situation.

Local representatives in the community are asked to share the information on social media and noticeboards to ensure all local people are aware of the closure.

John Grogan, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Keighley and Ilkley, said: “Firstly I think most people in the village would like to thank Mark Preston for all his hard work in running the Post Office for the last nine years . He has been unable to find a buyer for the business which also incorporates the village newsagents.

“The Post Office says the closure of post office facilities in the village is temporary but they need to act fast to fill the gap.

“There are a number of possibilities if a bit of imagination is put to the task.

“With all the bad publicity Post Office bosses have been getting since Christmas they need to show they are doing everything possible to maintain a public service in bustling villages like Addingham.”