ANGRY Hagley residents have hit out at the post office for not providing vital services in the village while the building undergoes a four month renovation.

West Hagley Post Office will close its doors on Wednesday, November 23, and not reopen again until next spring, leaving customers in the dark as to how they access services in the meantime.

A spokeswoman for Post Office said a “modern new branch” is expected to open March next year, with posters set to be displayed in the village at least two weeks before reopening to let customers know the exact date.

She added: “While the building works take place, post office services may be accessed from any convenient branch including Stourbridge Post Office, Kidderminster Post Office, and Merry Hill Post Office.”

But Hagley resident Jo Hallington said there has been uproar in the village as elderly post office users will struggle with travelling to the nearby towns.

Miss Hallington said: “This decision has been made with no thought towards the people who use the post office in this village.

“Many of the customers are elderly who rely on picking up their pensions and getting money out of their bank account from the post office.

“They can’t go all the way into Stourbridge or Kidderminster to get their money. Imagine them on the buses travelling those distances with hundreds of pounds in their purses. It is a robbery waiting to happen.

“We need the post office bosses to come up with an alternative which will keep the services in the village. There is plenty of room in the current building which could be used to set up a small stand during the four months which people could still use.

“The timing of this renovations is also a concern to residents as it’s going on in the winter, which makes travelling even more of a worry.”

Hagley West ward councillor Steve Colella said he has been in touch with the post office’s regional area managers to see if there could be a temporary solution to the closure.

He said: “I have been contacted by many concerned residents and I’m aware of the anxiety that the temporary closure of the post office service will cause for many people.

“I have asked if something can be done to share a local business or perhaps bring in a temporary mobile service.

“It isn’t good enough that valued and loyal customers are left high and dry without any thought to offering some sort of temporary cover.

“But I have made arrangements with Dial-a-ride to make weekly trips to the post offices in Stourbridge, Kidderminster and Merry Hill which can be booked in advance for just £1 for those with bus passes.”

West Hagley Post Office staff have also been told they face redundancy when the branch temporarily closes later this month.

Miss Hallington said: “Several of the staff in Hagley have been working at the post office for many years and are they have such a good way with people.

“They make sure everything is done properly and really care for their customers, particularly the elderly residents.

“We can’t let these members of staff, who are really valued in our community, be out of work just before Christmas. Something needs to be done.”

A Post Office spokeswoman added: “West Hagley Post Office is run by an independent agent and is not directly managed by Post Office.

“The site which currently houses West Hagley Post Office was sold by the landlord, and not the current operator Daves Discount Ltd, to the Co-op and they will be the new operators of the post office.

“As this branch is not directly managed by us, we cannot comment on staffing.”

Residents wanting to book the Dial-a-ride service during the temporary closure should call 0121 453 9682.