Horning Post Office could be saved by Tidings Newsagents

Horning Post Office, in Lower Street, is set to close on May 11 after postmasters Andrew and Adrienne Seddon announced their retirement after running the service in the village for the past 12 years.

Now, there are hopes to open a new post office counter at Tidings Newsagents, just 50 yards up the road.

However, Gail and Ian Watling, who run the village shop, claim that after enquiring about taking on the terminal they were told by the Post Office’s area manager that “Horning doesn’t need a post office”.

Instead, they say they would need to fund it themselves - which would cost them at least £18,000.

All profits would go to the Post Office, but the couple would earn commission.

Gail Watling, who runs Tidings Newsagents with her husband Ian, has received the support of North Norfolk MP and former sub-postmaster Duncan Baker (Image: Duncan Baker)

Mrs Watling said: “In one breath they say Horning doesn’t need a post office, but in the next they say they’ll take the profits as long as we fund it - it’s ludicrous.

“I don’t run this business to be rich – I just want to live a comfortable life and provide a shop and post office service for the village.

“There’s been a post office in Horning ever since I can remember.

“It’s an essential service that we need to offer because there’s nowhere for people to bank or access cash in the village."

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Horning Post Office, in Lower Street, will close on May 11 when sub-postmasters Andrew and Adrienne Seddon retire (Image: Jon Poynton)

The shop has been in Mrs Watling's family since 1989, previously being run by her parents Ralph and Georgie Morris.

A petition to save the post office was launched this week and has already received more than 100 signatures.

Duncan Baker, MP for North Norfolk and a former sub-postmaster, is meeting with representatives from the Post Office this week.

Duncan Baker, MP for North Norfolk, is meeting with the Post Office this week (Image: Newsquest)

“The Post Office need to recognise the way the local community feel,” he said.

“They owe it to the local community to start to give back after all the problems that we’ve had with the Horizon scandal.

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“If the post office doesn’t get replaced it will be a hammer blow.

“It is essential we keep the post office terminal in Horning.”

A Post Office spokesperson said: “In terms of replacing the branch, Post Office is facing a particularly challenging period, as are other high street retailers.

"The impact of rising costs, inflation and finite funding from government mean that while we will always look to replace a Post Office, but we cannot commit to doing so in every instance.

"We are working with an interested retailer to see if there is a feasible solution.”