A COUNCILLOR is urging businesses to step forward to provide a post office in St Austell town centre.

Cornwall councillor Jack Yelland (Reform UK), who represents St Austell Central and Gover, wants businesses to register an interest in running a post office after the current office in Fore Street closes just after Christmas.

The post office based in a TG Jones shop, previously a WH Smith store, will stop operating when the outlet closes down.

Cllr Yelland said: “A post office is a vital service for residents, vulnerable people and local businesses. If we want to keep one in St Austell, we need businesses to step forward.”

Businesses can officially register to run such a post office at the runapostoffice.co.uk website.

On the site, the Post Office says it is looking for a successful retailer to incorporate a main post office, offering a full range of services, into an existing or proposed business.

The closing date for businesses to register is November 2, though the Post Office says this date might be brought forward if sufficient interest is registered.

In a letter to customers, the Post Office said: “As you may already be aware following the restructuring plan announcement by our retail partner TG Jones, some of their stores will close. Regrettably, the St Austell Post Office branch is affected by this restructuring and is due to close on Monday, December 28.

“The provision of a post office service to our customers in the area is important to us, and we are working hard to find a solution to continue offering services to the local community in St Austell.

“We apologise for the inconvenience the closure may cause. We hope that our customers will continue to use Post Office services.”

The Post Office said there were alternative post offices in St Austell at Slades Road and Holmbush.