A pop-up post office will this month open in Exmouth town centre ahead of a permanent branch returning to the Magnolia Centre in January.
When the Chapel Street post office closed in September after major High Street retailer TJ Jones permanently shut its Magnolia Centre store, a campaign launched, calling on Post Office Ltd to safeguard the town’s essential services.
Now it has been announced a temporary service will open within weeks – a stone’s throw away from its old home – returning in the former HSBC bank.
And in January 2027 a permanent post office service will return to Chapel Street, also in the former HSBC bank building.
The new Post Office will open in the former HSBC bank, in The Magnolia Centre, Exmouth.
Image: Jaggery/geograpgh.org.uk
While the official opening date is yet to be announced, the revamp will combine two screened Post Office serving positions and a store selling cards and stationery.
The new Post Office will be open Monday to Saturday, 9am until 5.30pm, located approximately 47 metres away from the previous branch.
Inside, customers can expect space for a wheelchair, a hearing loop and low-level writing desk.
A Post Office spokeswoman said an interim service would start later this month at 9 Chapel Street, Exmouth, formerly HSBC, and remain operational until the permanent branch is ready.
She said: “We can confirm that following the closure of Exmouth Post Office inside the TG Jones store at 19 Chapel Street, Exmouth we will soon be restoring service with an experienced postmaster.
“We are opening an interim Post Office service later this month.
“The opening date will be confirmed as soon as possible. The interim branch will provide a wide range of Post Office services for customers and will operate from the same premises as the permanent branch that is scheduled to be ready in January 2027.”
She added: “Over the coming months, the premises, which have been vacant, are being refurbished to incorporate a cards and stationery store alongside the Post Office.
“While preparations for the permanent branch continue, the interim service will ensure continued access to Post Office services for customers until the new branch is ready to open in January 2027.”
An ‘urgent’ campaign and petition launched in the summer after it was announced the town’s main post office would close within weeks, forcing residents to travel to Exeter or other towns for some services.
And Post Office Ltd opened applications for a new host business.
David Reed, MP for Exmouth, said he had lobbied the Post Office for the town’s service to be reinstated, launched a residents’ survey and worked with the town council for the return of the ‘vital’ service.
Mr Reed said he pressed for the services to be restored ‘as quickly as possible’, revealing feedback from residents showed the need for a town centre Post Office.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted that Post Office services are set to return to Exmouth town centre.
“Since the closure of our main Post Office in September, I have been in regular contact with the Post Office, making clear just how important this service is to our town.
“I know from the many people who have contacted me, and those who responded to my survey, how frustrating the closure has been, particularly for older people, local businesses and those who depend on access to cash and other essential services.
“It is fantastic news that an interim service is expected to open later this month, followed by a permanent branch in January.”
Mr Reed added: “I would also like to thank the Mayor of Exmouth, Graham Deasey, for his and the council’s continued support and efforts in helping to secure the return of this vital service.”
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