Update 31st August
The application for a Premises Licence in respect of the shop that would operate the Post Office in Helmsley was granted. Since then, work has been carried out to progress with opening the business at the same location of the previous branch, but under new management.
Jagadeesh Kumar, an experienced Postmaster, who would manage the Post Office and the convenience store, applied for a Premises Licence. The application has been determined and granted, and the Licence document will be issued imminently. This comes as a temporary solution has been operating from Helmsley’s Black Swan Hotel since August 2023 after the previous branch that offered a full-time service closed.
We’ve made significant progress toward re-establishing a permanent Post Office in Helmsley and it’s great news that the store has secured its Premises Licence. I will be keeping up regular communications with the Post Office and Cllr Jabbour to ensure everything runs smoothly. In the meantime, my thanks go to the Black Swan Hotel and the temporary postmaster for keeping the part-time service available for our community.
Update 23rd August
I visited the Black Swan along with Cllr Jabbour and Mark Gibson. It's great to see the temporary post office ready to go - thank you to all those I've worked with on this - especially to the Black Swan and to George and Mark for helping to deliver the solution.
Update 18th August
It's great news that the Black Swan is now confirmed to host postal services as of next week - I look forward to visiting the Swan in the coming days to see first hand how the site will function for residents. Long term, we are still seeking a permanent replacement.
The Post Office will open next Tuesday at 10am.
Update 11th August
Cllr Jabbour and I are very grateful to the Black Swan for the vital service they are providing to the community in hosting postal services in the town.
While the necessary checks still have to take place over the coming days, I'm pleased my constituents will have provisions up and running very soon and, if demand is high, I will make the case for longer opening hours.
Long term, we are still seeking a permanent replacement, but for the moment, this is certainly welcome news for Helmsley residents.