An update from our local MP, Tom Tugendhat on the future of Tonbridge Post Office.
"For years I have campaigned for a proper Post Office in Tonbridge. I know the future of Tonbridge Post Office has been a concern for many of us since they were asked to leave WH Smith in March.
For the past 4 months I have spent a considerable amount of time working with the Post Office to secure their commitment to Tonbridge.
Despite searching, the Post Office have informed me that they can’t find an alternative site. This is disappointing.
However, I am pleased that Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council have stepped in to secure its immediate future.
Although the Post Office closes at the end of this week, a new temporary counter will open at Tonbridge Castle for those who need access to Post Office services very soon.
While the Council were happy for this to start operating as soon as possible, the Post Office have said they need to train staff on it first. This delay is disappointing given that they already had staff in Tonbridge.
Without Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council bailing the Post Office out, we would not have any Post Office facilities in the town centre from next month.
So my enormous thanks go to the Council, and especially its Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Vivian Branson, who has driven this solution which is clearly in the best interests of the whole town. Thank you, Vivian.
However the reality is this is only a temporary solution, and we need to make sure a permanent one is secured in the Town Centre.
That’s why I have invited Post Office senior management to come and address a public meeting in Tonbridge in the next few weeks. I will post details of the date and time on my website and social media sites as soon as this is confirmed.
Today’s news is a welcome relief, but not the full solution. The Post Office facilities at York Parade and Martin Hardie Way continue to be open until the Tonbridge Castle temporary counter is operational.
My thanks to Vivian Branson and everyone at TMBC who has secured this, and we continue to work together to keep the Post Office in Tonbridge town centre."