Welwyn's only Post Office will close in a matter of weeks following the resignation of the postmaster and the withdrawal of the premises for use as a PO.

The branch at 20 High Street will be closing on Monday July 19 at 12 noon, leaving residents having to travel almost two miles to Codicote for Post Office services.

Due to the withdrawal of the site, any applications from potential retail partners interested in running a branch in the area are being welcomed.

Graham Simmons, Post Office network provision lead, said: "The provision of a Post Office service to our customers in the local community is important to us, and we will continue to work hard to restore services in the area as soon as possible.

"I would like to assure you that we are currently investigating the options available which will enable us to reinstate a Post Office service to the local community.

"We would like to apologise for the inconvenience the temporary closure may cause."

One resident commented on the news on social media: "Another nail in the coffin of the village, we lost our bank, now the Post Office, where are the people meant to go that can't get into big towns?"

But another said: "I think I used it once in 20 years of living in Welwyn, it was often closed. There are still amazing businesses in the villages to draw people in, I don’t think it will affect the majority of people."

Reacting to the news Welwyn West councillor Tony Kingsbury said: "I was obviously very disappointed to hear about the closure of the Post Office and I’m hopeful an alternative can be found, especially after losing the only bank in the village two years ago.

"Many of us worked to try to retain the bank with some consolation by getting a new cash machine installed. I am sure the community will pull together again to see what can be done.

"As always, Welwyn residents have supported our varied High Street shops, pubs and restaurants during the pandemic, which I am sure will help them thrive as restrictions are lifted."

Applications to run a Post Office in the area are open until December 9: runapostoffice.co.uk/branch/welwyn-post-office-welwyn-al6-9eq