CONCERNS raised about post office services in Westbury will be discussed by Westbury Area Board next Thursday, following the recent announcement that one of the main services will be closing for refurbishment.

It was revealed at the end of September that the post office branch based at the Co-op store in Westbury will close for refurbishment from October 24 to November 1.

The news came one week after the announcement about the closure of Dilton Marsh Stores, which also has a post office counter. The store and post office were closed on September 28.

Plans for work on the main post office at the Co-op will now be presented at the area board by Laura Tarling, Post Office senior stakeholder manager.

Cllr Russell Hawker, who is chairman of the area board, said: “It looks like we will have a temporary bus service from the Co-op to the post office in College Road, Trowbridge. It’s disappointing for Westbury that The Ham and Dilton Marsh post offices are closed at the same time, as it would have meant a post office blackout in the town without a temporary service.

“I was stunned when I learnt all three would be closed at the same time, but the Post Office must not have realised that would be the case when they planned the refurbishment.”

There was also a glimmer of hope for villagers in Dilton Marsh this week, as the Wiltshire Times understands that an offer has been made to buy Dilton Marsh Stores, which has been accepted.

Although the process is only in the early stages, the prospective owner is hoping to continue the post office service when the purchase is completed, which is expected to take four to six weeks.

Anyone attending the area board meeting at the Village Hall on October 17, 7pm, will also have an opportunity to ask about other postal services in the area.