THE shutters could finally come down at Fordingbridge Post Office unless a new operator is found by August.

It is the second time in a year Tesco has given warning that the post office, situated in its One Stop shop, will have to go.

Last June the supermarket giant reversed its decision to change the Salisbury Street shop to a Tesco Express store.

But this time the decision has been rubber-stamped.

Tesco is sticking by its motto "Every little helps" and says it will give "substantial financial and logistical help" to any applicant who can provide the necessary premises.

But a spokesman warned: "Late August is the time-scale for this."

He said the space taken up by the post office counter would provide room for more fresh produce.

After the previous threat to the post office, another operator was said to have been waiting in the wings.

Now councillors are urging people to come forward.

Fordingbridge Mayor Cllr Jeremy Whiteley said: "It's up to everybody to push the powers that be to make sure we don't lose the post office."

New Forest district councillor Bob Hale said: "After the traumas of last year it is disappointing that the local community has got to go through all this again."

But it appears the company is determined to go ahead, he said.

"I have had discussions with one of their corporate affairs managers who says that the company is offering an attractive package of help to encourage someone to take over the post office.

"The community as a whole now needs to get behind the push to encourage a new operator to come forward as a town of the size of Fordingbridge needs a post office."

Post Office Counters said it had been given notice of Tesco's intention to resign from running the Fordingbridge facility. It is Post Office Counters' intention to advertise as soon as possible on a like-for-like basis for continuity of service.

First published: May 24