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Last town centre post office set to shut

Nicky Schiller/BBC A view of the WHSmith store in Luton Point. It is open with customers inside. There is red post office signage above the entrance.Nicky Schiller/BBC
MP Rachel Hopkins has written to the Post Office about securing a new alternative location in Luton

A town centre will lose its last remaining post office when the WHSmith branch it is based in closes, it has been confirmed.

The Luton Point shopping centre store was described by the high street bookseller and stationary retailer as "no longer sustainable to continue to trade from".

After it shuts on 18 January, it will mean the nearest post office will be in Bury Park, about one mile away (1.6km).

A Post Office spokesperson said: "We know how important a post office is to a community and we're looking at post office provision in the area."

A branch of toy shop The Entertainer, based inside the shopping centre, will also close.

Nigel Overton, head of region at The Entertainer, commented: "We're proud of the service we've offered and are committed to supporting our employees through this situation."

Nicky Schiller/BBC A yellow A4 piece of paper is stuck to the window of WHSmith, warning customers that the store will close on 18 January.Nicky Schiller/BBC
Window signs show WHSmith will close on 18 January

Rachel Hopkins, MP for Luton South and South Bedfordshire, said she was "very disappointed" by the closure.

She said: "[Residents] rely on the post office for essential access to services including postal services, banking, the application and certification of ID, and collection of benefit and pension payments for those who are unable to open bank accounts."

She has written to the company to "ensure an alternative post office location is being sought out in the town centre".

WHSmith said staff would be supported and redeployed to nearby stores where possible.

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