Another post office faces uncertain future (From Oxford Mail)

Another post office faces uncertain future

7:00pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in News

UNCERTAINTY hangs over the future of Cropredy’s post office after the village branch shut.

The branch, in gift shop The Perfect Present in Williamscot Road, closed at the end of last month after subpostmistress Camille Jokumsen stepped down due to ill health.

Miss Jokumsen and Cropredy Parish Council appealed for someone to run a business and counter in November but no takers were found.

The nearest branches are between three and four miles away in Ruscote Arcade, Banbury, and Hillview Crescent, Middleton Cheney.

Post Office Ltd spokesman Alan Ridoutt said: “We apologise for any inconvenience the temporary closure may cause.

“Customers can be assured that it remains our intention to keep a Post Office service in the area and we are currently investigating the options available.”

Options include a nearby subpostmaster visiting to run a counter during hours “that reflect the likely number of customers who will use the service” he said.

Alternatively, a counter could open in an “established local shop” at hours to suit the owner.

Miss Jokumsen said she had done everything possible to find someone to take on the service, which she ran for two of her seven years in the shop.

“I don’t think people realised how urgent it was,” she said.