Lewes MP Norman Baker has heavily criticised Post Office bosses after the main post office in Lewes - the only one now left after the latest round of closures - failed to open on Thursday until 12.30.
A spokeswoman told the MP, who raised the matter by phone on the morning, that there had been a need to call out a locksmith to get the door opened. Meanwhile, customers, many of them pensioners, arrived to find the office locked with no notice on the door or any staff to be seen.
Norman Baker said: "The Post Office has yet to give me any sensible explanation for this appalling fiasco. Why was a locksmith needed in the first place? Why did it take over three hours to get one to arrive? Why weren't the staff outside the post office to advise customers what was going on? Why wasn't there a notice put up to explain the position?
"Since the Post Office shut sown all its sub-offices in Lewes, despite vigorous objections, it has been even more vital than before that the one remaining office operates at maximum efficiency. Clearly there is a long way to go. It is particularly inexcusable that customers were greeted by a locked door rather than a member of staff to explain what was happening.
"It is especially unfortunate that this occurred on a Thursday morning when many pensioners struggle up the hill to get their pension. Some will have come in from nearby villages by bus, and will have had to return home empty-handed.
"Post Office Counters need to give their customers a full explanation and an apology."
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Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
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