CONCERN has been raised in a community after the sudden and immediate closure of a post office.

The branch in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, told customers it was closing for an "annual audit" on July 5 but has not reopened since.

A sign on the door reads that it will be closed until further notice without explanation as to the reason.

Residents in Westcliff are now concerned the branch, which is within a small WH Smiths shop but is separately run as a franchise, will not reopen.

Gordon Finch, 69, who lives in London Road, said: "A lot of us use the post office to collect our pensions so it is a major inconvenience that is has been closed.

"I have to go into Southend high street now which is a long way for me to travel when I used to be able to walk down the road.

"It is especially frustrating because there doesn't seem to be an explanation and we have no idea whether it will reopen at all.

Milton ward councillor Jonathan Garston said he has taken up the cause on behalf of the residents.

He added: "Post offices provide a vital service in the local communities and there's no doubt they are an important hub in the town because of the number of services they provide.

"A number of residents have contacted me with concerns that it will not reopen so I have been liaising with the Post Office to try and get some answers for them.

"They are usually very good with any consultation before the closure of a branch.

"I certainly hope it is not a permanent closure because otherwise residents would have to go into Southend high street which for some is a long way to travel and could be a massive inconvenience."

The Post Office were contacted for comment but could not indicate the reason behind the sudden closure or an estimated time of when the services would be restored.

A Post Office spokesperson, said: “We understand and appreciate how much communities rely on our services and we apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Westcliff Post Office since July 5.

"We would like to reassure customers that the decision to suspend services at any of our branches is never taken lightly, and we will only do so when it is warranted.

“We are committed to providing a Post Office in Westcliff and we are looking to see how we can restore Post Office services to the area as soon as possible.

"In the meantime, alternative branches for Westcliff are Southend high street and Sutton Road, Southend.”