A MEETING between Thurrock Council Leader, Cllr John Kent, and the Post Office (on Wednesday, 20 February) has worked out a scheme to keep Post Office services available in Grays following the closure of WH Smiths in the town.
The Smiths store in Grays Shopping Centre – which contains the Post Office – is due to close on Saturday, 2 March.
Cllr Kent said: “We were told the Post Office have been working with Smiths to ensure the break in service is as short as possible and in our meeting the Post Office said they will be providing a bus link between the town centre and other post offices throughout this time.”
It is expected that the Grays Post Office will be able to re-open – in the same building – on or by 16 March.
Cllr Kent said: “Unfortunately, while Smiths are removing all their stock and equipment the Post Office has to make sure its own stocks are fully secure. There would also be safety issues around the public having access to the shop when it is being dismantled.
“The council has done all it can to try and keep a seamless service in the town, offering the Civic Offices and the Thameside complex as possible temporary homes for the Post Office, but we have been told this is not possible.”
He added that the Post Office had assured him posters advertising and explaining the bus service as well as the closure and opening dates would be placed in strategic places around town as soon as possible.
“It’s not the best solution, but it is a solution,” said Cllr Kent. “It does show that the Post Office values its customers as well as the importance of Grays and is determined to stay in the town which has to be good for the future.”
