Haslemere post office is to close at the end of the month after the resignation of its operator – with suggestions the closure could be permanent.

A Post Office spokesperson confirmed the office at 3 West Street will be “withdrawn for Post Office use” at 5.30pm on May 31.

They added: “Currently there is not a local sustainable opportunity to restore post office services once Haslemere post office closes. 

“Post Office is facing a particularly challenging period, as are other high street retailers. 

“The impact of rising costs, inflation and restrictions on our funding from government mean that while we will always look to re-open branches when they close, we cannot commit to doing so in every instance. 

“We will continue to review the situation.”

Haslemere post office until recently shared a premises with the Red.h wine bar, having re-opened as a multi-use premises in late-2018 on the back of a campaign led by former town mayor Brian Howard.

The Herald understands Red.h still owns the freehold of the building, and has written to the company asking for clarification on its future.