Update on Thatcham and Hungerford Post Offices

Post Offices are vital to communities like Thatcham and Hungerford, particularly for residents and businesses who rely on them regularly. That’s why I’ve been working with local campaigners, businesses, interested parties, and Post Office Ltd to support efforts to secure their future. Here’s the latest on where things stand.

Thatcham: progress towards a replacement

Following the closure of the Post Office at Morrisons Daily on The Broadway on 4 October, I have continued working with Post Office Ltd, local businesses, and interested parties to support efforts to restore the service.

Earlier this year, I asked residents how they used Thatcham Post Office and what losing it would mean to them. What came through particularly strongly was that, as Thatcham has grown, residents have seen other important local services disappear. With the town having already lost its major high-street bank branches, the Post Office had become an important place for face-to-face banking as well as postal services.

Residents also highlighted the impact on older and disabled people, those without cars or who aren't confident accessing services online, and local businesses that rely on the branch for banking, parcels, and business mail. And they were clear that location matters: they want services that are accessible on foot and by public transport, and that help support the wider town centre. I've been clear with Post Office Ltd that any long-term solution needs to reflect what residents have told us.

I've continued to make that case to Post Office Ltd.

The latest update I've received is that an applicant is continuing to make progress through the onboarding process. That's encouraging, but there are still steps to complete before anything can be confirmed.

In the meantime, nearby Post Office branches are available at Northfield Road and Cold Ash. The Thatcham Banking Hub on The Broadway also continues to provide banking services, although it does not provide postal services.

Hungerford: applications reopened

In Hungerford, the search for a new operator is continuing. Post Office Ltd has readvertised the opportunity and has already been in contact with another potential applicant. I’m encouraging anyone who may be interested to come forward and formally register their interest.

Anyone interested in running Hungerford Post Office needs to formally register their interest by 29 October:

Apply to run Hungerford Post Office here.

The current expectation is that the existing branch will close in late December or early January.

Keeping you updated

Neither situation is fully resolved yet, but work is continuing in both towns.

I'll keep working with Post Office Ltd, local businesses, and interested parties to support the future of these important services and will update residents as soon as there is more to share.