Fenland post office due to close at end of month given two month reprieve

A FENLAND post office due to close at the end of March has won a two month stay of execution.

The post office at Smeeth Road, Marshland St James, will now close on May 26 after John and Janis Davies agreed to keep it open a little longer.

The Post Office hopes the extra weeks will give it time to find someone else to take on the village sub office.

A Post Office spokesman said: "We have been able to reach an agreement with the current sub postmaster to keep the branch open until May 26 while we continue to work hard to find a solution that will provide a Post Office presence in the area. "Post Office Ltd apologises for the inconvenience this temporary closure may cause to customers."

Dwindling trade and violent attacks were cited last month as reasons for Mr and Mrs Davies deciding to close their remote village post office and store. They plan to build a new home for themselves on the site.

Mr Davies told West Norfolk Council who approved his plans that private income was the only reason he had been able to keep the shelves stocked over the years.

He told councillors that after 22 years running the business, he and his wife had also had enough of the risks to their personal safety.

"Violent crime has been experienced by my family," he said. "We have been the victims of seven attempted break-ins and robberies.

"I'm constantly aware of how vulnerable I am in the Post Office environment as crime becomes more prevalent."

The post office spokesman added that villagers would always be able to access services at St Johns Fen Road branch and Emneth.