Fakenham mayor adds to call for new permanent Post Office in town

Angela Glynn, town mayor, was speaking after the Post Office urged town centre shops to consider housing a permanent branch.

Fakenham has had a pop-up service since February 2020. The Post Office has confirmed it would close only after a replacement was found.

Angela Glynn, mayor for Fakenham (Image: Newsquest)

Mrs Glynn said: “The Post Office is appealing to shop owners to host a post office, but at below market rents.

"Is it reasonable to ask a business to give up space selling their own products to support another business?

"The Post Office asserts that it will bring increased footfall to the host shop and that should make up for the loss of trading space.

"Were the Post Office to be in say, a supermarket, that may be the case. I am not at all sure that would do the same for one of our town centre shops."

The pop-up post office in Miller's Walk in Fakenham (Image: Archant)

The Post Office said talks were at an early stage with potential hosts of a new branch.

A spokesperson said: “The vacancy for Fakenham is for an independent postmaster or a company to take on Fakenham Post Office on a permanent basis. Operating a Post Office within an existing or new retail environment works successfully across the UK.

“A Post Office attracts extra footfall and customers are likely to also buy from the retail side of the store."

Jerome Mayhew, MP for Broadland, outside the pop-up post office in Fakenham (Image: Office of Jerome Mayhew)

Jerome Mayhew, MP for Broadland, said: "We have not had a permanent Post Office in Fakenham for far too long. 

"We need a proper postmaster or mistress for the town and I have been lobbying the Post Office to find a suitable site.

"Running a post office brings extra footfall to a shop, provides additional income and anchors it to the heart of the community. 

"The current deadline for applications runs until November 26 and I encourage existing retailers to come forward and apply."