THE closure of a "vitally important" local post office in York has been branded as "hugely disappointing".

The branch in Moorcroft Road in Woodthorpe has closed temporarily this week “following the withdrawal of premises for post office use," a Post Office spokesperson said.

A member of staff at Woodthorpe Post Office said the shop closed on Tuesday but it had stopped providing post office services on Monday.

Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward councillor Stephen Fenton told The Press that residents are “understandably unhappy” about the closure.

He added that local people “are particularly dismayed at the complete lack of any communication or information from Post Office Ltd".

Cllr Fenton said: “It’s hugely disappointing. Many local residents, particularly elderly residents, rely on the services that the post office provides, for example for pension payments. They also relied on the shop for newspaper deliveries.

“It is very popular, particularly for people sending parcels.”

He believes the branch is “vitally important” to the local community.

“It is a real community hub,” he said.

“The nearest post office branches are some distance away, on Tadcaster Road in Dringhouses and on Front Street in Acomb.”

Sue Vinden, of Bramble Dene, uses the Woodthorpe branch, which is near her home.

She said: “People have taken the news badly. They are appalled.

“Nothing has been sent to residents about it. There’s just a notice on the door of the shop and word of mouth. That is not good enough.

“It’s caused a lot of confusion and distress. An elderly man I talked to was distressed when he found out.”

A Post Office spokesperson said: “Following the withdrawal of premises for post office use, Woodthorpe Post Office will temporarily close today (May 13).

“We understand how important a post office can be to a community and would like to reassure customers that we are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a post office service to the local community.

"We would encourage any retailer or small business owner interested in running the post office and incorporating it into their business to get in contact with us on 0845 2668790.”