CHAGFORD Post Office, the ‘hub of the community’, closed its doors last week to the disappointment of residents, but plans for an outreach service are being finalised while a more permanent solution is being sought.

Following the resignation of the postmaster at Chagford Post Office, the premises closed its doors to the public at the end of the working day last Thursday and will no longer be available for Post Office use.

A spokesperson for the Post Office said: ‘Chagford Post Office closed at its current location on April 7. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of the branch and we are looking at ways to restore Post Office services to the area as quickly as possible.’

The Post Office said it was called a ‘temporary closure’ because it is the intention to provide a permanent service in the area but not necessarily in the same premises.

‘We are currently finalising plans to open a temporary hosted outreach service for Chagford at the Jubilee Hall, while we look to see whether there is a permanent solution.

‘A hosted outreach service is whereby a nearby postmaster visits a premises at set times each week. The days and times of the service have not been finalised yet. This information should be available later this week. It is hoped that the temporary service will open the week commencing May 16.’

The Post Office in Chagford was also a delivery office, but that service has now moved to Newton Abbot.

Chagford resident Steve Dooley said the closure of the Post Office was a ‘big shame’.

He said: ‘We have such a thriving town here and the Post Office was one place people would meet up in the morning — it is a real little centrepiece of the town. My wife has lived here since she was eight and she’s now 57 and she said it has always been a busy little place. It is a great sentimental loss.

‘The practicalities of leaving us without a proper service is huge. Now if a parcel arrives and you are not home, we’ll have to go all the way to Newton Abbot to pick it up. This will have a huge impact on everyone.

‘It is terribly sad to see such a well-loved and well-used institution go.’

Until the outreach service begins in the Jubilee Hall, people wishing to use the Post Office service will have to travel to Throwleigh, Drewsteignton, Moretonhampstead or South Zeal.

There is hope that the Jubilee Hall will be provide a permanent home for the Post Office in the future and also house an extension to the library. The hall extension project has planning permission but funds would be needed.