Builth Wells could lose its only Royal Mail post office in the new year if it doesn’t find a new home.

Kirsty Williams, AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, said it is “worrying news” that Builth Wells’ Post Office will lose access to its current premises on the High Street from early January, but says she’s “really heartened” by the number of businesses who have put themselves forward as possible sites since the news broke last Thursday.

Royal Mail said it is committed to providing services in the town and is looking for other businesses to take over the Post Office’s services.

News of the post office’s closure came “totally out of the blue”, Builth Wells Town Councillor Meryl Prynne said, and will have a “massive impact” on Builth Wells if it goes ahead. She hopes someone will take it on and save the jobs at risk.

Chris Davies MP and Kirsty Williams AM

People on social media have expressed their disbelief saying: “If our post office in the centre of Builth High Street goes it will kill the town but, like everything else, it’s all done and dusted before the public know a thing about it.”

Brecon and Radnorshire MP Chris Davies said he will work with the Town Council to make sure that the “vital” service remains accessible to the people in and around Builth Wells.Kirsty Williams said: “This is very worrying news. Since the banks have deserted our communities the Post Office plays a vital role for residents and businesses alike. I am in touch with post officials at the Welsh Headquarters, they have told me they are committed to keeping a service in the town and that they are looking to keep the current site open using a temporary postmaster.

“I will continue to work with all parties on this matter to ensure a satisfactory, long-term solution is found for the town.”

In response to Ms Williams’ query, a Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Our immediate priority is to see if we can retain Post Office services at the current site by using a temporary postmaster and supporting them in agreeing a short-term lease with the landlord. There appears to be interest from amongst the current staff of the store in this respect.

“In tandem with trying to retain a service at the site, the field team will start to engage with other local retailers in the town to see if we can find a new permanent operator and premises.”