A POST office in York which closed suddenly is expected to reopen in the next few weeks.

Dringhouses Post Office, based inside Mace convenience store, in Tadcaster Road, has had all services ceased, but the shop remains open.

A poster has been placed in the window of the store saying: “The post office will be closed for the next few weeks due to a change in management.”

One of the store’s shopkeepers, who did not want to be named, added: “The old owner has sold the shop and the new owners have got a lot of hoops to jump through before they can reopen the post office.”

Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward councillor Stephen Fenton recently described the closure of the branch as a “huge blow” to the local community.

He said: “The timing of this closure couldn’t be worse. There are many residents wanting to send Christmas mail to family and friends, home or abroad, and they will now have to use other Post Office outlets if possible.”

Cllr Fenton went on to say that he was disappointed by the “lack of communication” from Post Office Ltd.

He added: “Their code of practice places emphasis on communicating with local authorities and others, where there are changes to service provision. However, this sudden closure has taken everyone by surprise.

“As far as I am aware, there has been no communication to the council and there has certainly been no approach to local councillors.”

A Post Office spokeswoman told The Press: “We sincerely apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Dringhouses Post Office.

“We understand and appreciate how much communities rely on our services, and would like to reassure customers that the decision to suspend services at any of our branches is never taken lightly.

"We take very seriously any decision to temporarily close a branch, and will only do so when it is warranted.

“We are working hard to restore services for the community as quickly as possible.”