RESIDENTS have aired their concerns over the future of Freshwater's Post Office following news the town's Afton Road Co-operative store is to close later this year and reopen as a Tesco.

UPDATE: Post office counter likely to stay when Co-op becomes Tesco

The shop includes a Post Office service, although there is uncertainty regarding whether this will continue to run as part of the new supermarket.

The County Press has asked Tesco and the Post Office for a comment on the situation.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “Freshwater Post Office is open as normal.

"We received a resignation from the present operator of the branch.

"The premises are being taken over by another supermarket and we are in discussions with them about operating a Post Office from this location.”

John Medland, ward councillor for Freshwater South, spoke of his concern at the possible closure.

He said: "The loss the Post Office at Freshwater Co-op's supermarket would be a major blow to the village.

"It is not only busily used for mailing and government services but has recently been our only available local banking service with the suspension of outreach banking."

In a statement issued on social media, the firm moved to reassure workers they would have the opportunity to transfer to Tesco under the Transfer Undertaking for the Protection of Employment Regulations (TUPE).

It said the transition was expected to be completed in autumn 2021.

Freshwater Parish Council, who will be discussing the development at their next meeting in early July, spoke of the importance the Post Office and local food producers have within the community.

They said: "We understand the concerns being raised, particularly around the future of the Post Office franchise and the position of local food producers, who have had a close partnership with the Co-op for many years.

"We need to look at how both of these important aspects of village life might be affected by Tesco's arrival."

The Co-operative store, part of the Southern Co-op group, opened in 2015, replacing a smaller shop on Hooke Hill in the town.

A spokesperson for Tesco expressed optimism about the development, saying: “We are pleased to be opening a Tesco Superstore in Freshwater in autumn, subject to conditions.

"We look forward to welcoming the Co-op team to Tesco so that we can continue to serve the local community in Freshwater.”

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