THE post office in Wells Market Place looks likely to close later this year.

Kevin Truman of Wessex Stores Limited, the company that runs the office on behalf of Post Office Ltd, has handed in his notice and will leave at the end of September.

He said that an application to leave was submitted several years ago, but there has been no interest from anyone wanting to take it on apart from a failed bid to move post office services to the Spar store in Tucker Street.

"If no one comes forward then it will close, and there will be no post office in the centre of Wells," said Kevin. He said that the five staff who work at the post office have all been notified.

Post Office Ltd leases the Market Place premises from Wells City Council. A Post Office spokesperson said: "We have received a resignation from the Postmaster for Wells and the branch is due to close at the current premises, which we do not own, in September.

"We understand how important a post office is to a community and we would like to reassure customers that we are working hard to maintain a post office in that area. Any retailer or small business owner interested in running the post office and incorporating it into their business should visit www.runapostoffice.co.uk or email [email protected].

"Post Office will be meeting with local stakeholders to provide further details and to discuss an approach to post office services in Wells in the near future."

Kevin said it could benefit a shop in Wells to have a post office counter, similar to the one at Budgens on Bath Road.

"It's a well used office," he said. "If someone has that in their shop they could get additional business."

He is prepared stay on in Wells after September for a short period to oversee the transfer of the business to someone else, he added.

A city council spokesperson said: "The city council is not aware of this resignation, it would appear to be an internal management matter for the Post Office Ltd

"Wells City Council continues to work with Post Office Ltd regarding their lease at the property in Wells Market Place and has recently given them a further lease extension, as requested by them. The city council is in ongoing dialogue with Post Office Ltd in trying to find a more practical outlet for their current business model, whilst retaining a post office in the city centre, to the benefit of the community."