A SMALLER shop-based Post Office could be set up to replace the Wath Brow branch which closed on August 11.

The branch on Ennerdale Road had sharply reduced its opening hours since the beginning of this year, before shutting and leaving people in the area with just one Post Office.

Now the only remaining office in the town is in the Co-operative store off Leconfield Street.

A spokeswoman for the Post Office said the facility shut because the postmaster resigned and it could no longer use the premises.

Helen Gilmour, clerk for Cleator Moor Town Council, said: “It is very sad to see another shop close in Cleator Moor, with the associated loss of service for the community.

“It will mean many people having to travel to the Cooperative Store to access post office services.

“This coupled with the loss earlier in the year of NatWest bank is a real blow to our town. ”

A spokeswoman for the Post Office said: “We know how important Post Office services are to people in Wath Brow and we apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused.

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

“In exploring this option, it is important that any future service is sustainable for the person operating the service.

“Future provision will reflect customer numbers and usage and we may take the opportunity to establish an alternative type of service. This may be a new style branch known as a Post Office local.

“Post Office locals run alongside an established local shop and create a more modern and convenient retail experience for customers in newly refurbished premises.”

David Farrell, chairman of the Cleator Moor Chamber of Trade, said that the office had been there for as long as he could remember and that the community had lost a valuable amenity.