A POST office in Christchurch is to close its doors for the last time next year. 

Stourvale Post Office will be closing down in March 2024 with an exact date to be confirmed. 

Bosses at the branch inside the One Stop on Barrack Road made the “difficult” decision to close due to “challenges of the economic climate”. 

One Stop will run a ‘drop and collect’ service in the meantime. 

This is described as a “lighter branch format” that offers services from a handheld device to “allow customers to maintain access to bill payments and prepaid parcel services”. 

A letter from Daniel Rooney, partner account manager at the Post Office, said: “We understand that the provision of a full-service Post Office branch is important for the local community and we are committed to seeking to restore a local Post Office branch to mitigate the impact of the closure of this branch. 

“However, it is important that any future service is sustainable for the postmaster operating the service, and for Post Office Limited.  

“We would welcome any applications from potential retail partners interested in running a branch locally on our behalf.  

“The vacancy will shortly be advertised on our website www.runapostoffice.co.uk and applications will be carefully considered.” 

Other Post Office branches in Christchurch include Fairmile Road, Bure Lane, Saulflands Place, Salisbury Place in Burton and Ringwood Road in Bransgore.