THE “CLOSED” sign has finally been turned for Truro’s city-centre Post Office branch, which served its final customers just before noon today [Tuesday, October 6]. The outlet was situated in Pydar Street at the rear of TG Jones, formerly WH Smith, which will cease trading on Saturday.

While staff members were not permitted to speak to journalists, it was clear they were as disappointed as the steady stream customers making their way past the empty shelving to do some final Post Office business.

Deborah Toy and her son Dom were there to post vinyl records sold via eBay. “It’s sad, really,” said Deborah. “We’ve always had a post office, and now we’re going to be without. This was so convenient to pop into.”

Pensioners Madeleine Johnston and Judith Dunn were visiting from Tamworth in the West Midlands, where their own Post Office branch in a local Co-op had closed permanently. “It’s disgusting,” said Mrs Johnston.

Pam McEvilly from St Austell had come into Truro to visit Nationwide. “I use the post office quite a lot, and St Austell’s is closing too,” she said. “This will make a big difference to me – I think it’s awful.”

Even younger customers were disappointed to hear the news. Tilly Luke, 17, from Fraddon, said: “I think it’s quite unfortunate. I’ve used the post office for sending or collecting parcels, and DBS checks and getting my passport and provisional driving licence sorted – all things I’d rather do in person than online.”

Some customers had only just moved to Truro and were dismayed to discover their most convenient post office was about to close. Originally from Surrey, Shena Turner was buying some stamps. “I’m really sad for all the people working here – I hope they all find jobs,” she said. “I use the post office a lot – I’m old school. This was such a great location for everyone to get to.”

At 12.01pm, Alison de Salingre from Malpas was “devastated” to have missed the opportunity to send a package to her son, who lives in New Zealand. “He can’t afford to come home and I can’t afford to go there, so sending parcels is an important bonding facility for us,” she said, adding: “Where exactly is Trelander?”

A spokesperson for Truro City Council responded to questions and suggestions on social media. A mobile post office has been largely discounted as “the Post Office has advised that the number of parcels handled at the Truro branch and the space needed to store them are concerns when considering a mobile service”.

Regarding the idea of Truro Community Library hosting the Post Office, Truro City Council has raised this option with the Post Office as a temporary measure; however, “the Post Office has told us that the expressions of interest process for a replacement service has closed and that the location of the Post Office is only part of the issue, as it needs an operator to manage it. No temporary move to the library will therefore be possible.”

The spokesperson continued: “As a private business, the Post Office makes the decisions about its services. However, there is great public interest in this matter, and Truro City Council has a role in putting forward Truro’s needs and helping to find a solution. That is what we are doing.”

Camborne post office, also in TG Jones, is scheduled to close before Christmas. St Austell is pencilled in to close in January 2027.