WEYMOUTH Post Office has closed again after briefly re-opening this morning.

The branch at 87 St Thomas Street was trading as normal from 9am this morning but was forced to close its doors amid a dispute between the former postmaster and the landlord.

It is understood the former postmaster has made a legal challenge, questioning the validity of the eviction.

For this reason, it has been decided to close the branch while issues are thrashed out.

The branch originally closed down suddenly at the weekend amid a dispute over non-payment of rent. Staff and customers were unable to get in the office on Saturday after the landlord changed the locks and declared the lease had been forfeited.

Matt Bumphrey from operators Smartpost said they were unable to pay the rent for October but hoped some agreement could be reached with the landlord.

Concern had been expressed that Weymouth was without its main post office.

The Post Office said yesterday it was working hard to get the branch open again.

It opened this morning but closed again about 11am.

A Post Office spokesman said: “Weymouth Post Office reopened this morning under a temporary postmaster.

"However, a legal challenge has since arisen between the landlord by their former tenant, leading to a further closure. We hope that this will be brief and that the branch will reopen again soon.

“While sometimes issues outside of our control can impact on service, we want to assure residents that we are committed to maintaining our physical presence in Weymouth.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the brief temporary closure of the branch, and thank the Abbotsbury Road and Dorchester Road Post Office services for taking on extra custom.”