A PUBLIC meeting will take place to debate the need for a Post Office in Christchurch.

The meeting aims to bring together traders, residents and community leaders to discuss the need for a town centre Post Office and what opportunities there may be.

It will be held at the Civic Offices on April 7.

The Post Office Ltd and Mandy Payne, economic development officer for Christchurch council have been working to try and reopen a Post Office in the town centre as soon as possible.

A public meeting is being held at the Council Chamber at Christchurch Civic Centre on 7 April from 5.30 - 8pm. Retailers, potential retailers, community leaders and customers are welcome to attend.

A spokesperson for the Post Office said they will have representatives at the meeting to reassure customers over their commitment to having a branch in the centre of the town.

"We also want to explain to the community how we have been working hard to re-open Christchurch Post Office since the branch unexpectedly closed last summer", they said.

Public affairs manager, Stuart Taylor, said: "Since the unplanned closure, which was beyond our control, we have engaged with local businesses, and despite some initial interest being received, these discussions have not resulted in an application to take on the service.

"We recognise how much local customers and the town’s traders value their Post Office service and we are keen to generate maximum awareness amongst the business community of the benefits of incorporating a Post Office into an existing or new retail business.

"We are committed to see Post Office services restored to Christchurch as soon as we can find a suitable operator and premises for the service."

The franchise in Church Street shut last year, when the director decided to liquidate the company as it was no longer deemed financially viable.

The meeting will be held between 5.30pm and 8pm.