HAGLEY’S post office will not reopen this month as was previously planned, it has been confirmed.

Based in Hagley Village Stores, West Hagley Post Office closed its doors on November 23 as part of refurbishments to the Worcester Road convenience shop.

And although the completion date for the renovations is creeping nearer – there has not yet been any sign of improvement work taking place.

A Post Office spokesman told the News that the refurbishment is taking longer than first anticipated, but stressed they are “committed” to having a post office service in the village.

However, the Hagley post office branch is independent and is not directly managed by Post Office, meaning the company has no input over the renovation schedule.

The spokesman added: “We apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused during the prolonged closure.

“Posters will be displayed locally at least two weeks before the branch reopens to advise customers of the date.”

Pedmore resident Stuart Woodroffe, who uses the Hagley post office and village store, has received an email from the Co-operative Group’s customer care team following an inquiry about the shop’s renovations and was told the store was “closed permanently” and will “not be re-opening”.

However, a spokesman for Mid Counties Co-operative said the company sold the property some time ago, leading to confusion due to a “lack of clarity” between the customer care team and Mr Woodroffe.

Since December, the village’s post office needs have been served by a mobile van which visits the Station Inn’s car park each Wednesday and Friday.

But despite the success of the van, Councillor Steve Colella, leader of Hagley Parish Council, still wants a full post office service back in the village.

Cllr Colella said: “The village store has a planning application to have it refurbished and as far as I am aware the work will be completed and the post office service will be back in it as soon as it reopens.

“Obviously I am concerned that the work hasn’t started yet, especially as we were told that it would be completed in March.

“Although I welcome the post office van, which has been a big help to the village during the refurbishment, it is not a full post office service which we need back in the village as soon as possible.

“If the work on the village store is not completed soon then we will need to consider what other options there are for the post office.”