Closure of Last Town Centre Post Office Sparks Concerns Over Community Access

The imminent closure of the last post office located in the Luton Point shopping centre has raised alarms among local residents and officials. Scheduled to shut down on January 18, the WHSmith branch has been deemed unsustainable for continued operation by the retailer. This closure means that the nearest alternative post office will be situated approximately one mile away in Bury Park, significantly impacting residents’ access to essential postal services.

The Post Office has acknowledged the importance of a post office in the community, stating that they are currently assessing postal service provisions in the region to explore possible alternatives. However, the loss of this facility has been met with considerable disappointment from local MP Rachel Hopkins, who emphasized the critical roles of post offices in providing access to key services like banking, ID applications, certifications, and the disbursement of benefits and pensions for individuals who do not have bank accounts.

In tandem with the post office closure, another local business, The Entertainer toy store, is also set to close its doors in the shopping centre. The regional manager, Nigel Overton, expressed pride in the service their store provided and reiterated their commitment to supporting affected employees during this transition.

As the local community prepares for the loss of its key postal service, discussions between government officials and WHSmith are ongoing to seek viable alternatives for post office locations in the town centre.