CONCERNS have been raised about the future of a vital post office in central Boscombe, as continued closures impact the community.

The Post Office in the Royal Arcade in Boscombe has been closed on Fridays and Saturdays for weeks and has recently started closing on Mondays too, according to residents.

Previously, the Post Office said this was due to staffing issues.

Since then, the store has continued to be closed frequently, leading to a concerned ward councillor writing to their head office.

In a post on social media, councillor for Boscombe East and Pokesdown ward, Andy Jones said: “Following concerns from residents about the frequent closure days at Boscombe Post Office in the Precinct I have written to their head office asking for an explanation and for a timeline as to when the situation is going to be rectified.”

Speaking about the issue, he said: “It’s a regular thing and obviously creating major inconvenience to residents and as a result they’re having to travel further to use other branches.

“I have had a lot of complaints about this, clearly there’s a growing number of people getting quite frustrated with the situation because it’s been going on for a long time now.

"I think people want answers as to when it’s going to open again, back to regular opening hours and obviously these people want assurance that it’s not the first step on the road to a full closure.

“I think on a temporary basis staffing issues can affect any business at any time but clearly the situation has been going on for a while now, people are understandably wondering whether there is more going on behind the scenes rather than staffing issues. I’m really just trying to get to the bottom of what’s going on and where we are with it.”

A spokesperson from the Post Office said: “Boscombe Precinct is experiencing staffing issues and the branch is currently closed on Fridays and Saturdays and other ad hoc times.

“We are working hard to restore a full-time branch in the near future. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. In the interim alternative branches include Boscombe East, Southbourne Grove and Malmesbury Park."

There was no response on when the issue would be rectified.

READ MORE: Boscombe Post Office closed two days a week