CONCERNS over the loss of a town’s post office have been eased by the local MP.

Pat Glass, MP for North West Durham, met with the Post Office's senior manager for the North East on Friday (October 17).

The meeting follows an announcement last month that the Co-op food store on New Road, Crook, which houses the town’s central post office, will close at the end of November.

Mrs Glass said: “I have been contacted by a number of Crook residents asking what is going to happen with Crook Post Office now that the Co-operative Food store is being taken over by Lidl. There is a lot of concern around that Crook could be left without a Post Office.”

The MP confirmed that plans are not yet finalised but said the Co-operative is contracted to give the Post Office a significant notice period, so nothing will happen immediately.

She added: “The Post Office will remain where it is and the service will go on as usual, until or if a new location is found and the manager I met has promised to keep me informed.

“I have told them that I expect a Post Office branch to remain in Crook. They have reassured me there are no plans to lose their high street presence and are working to establish potential venues and partners.

“I will be receiving regular updates and I am told there will be no break of service. I am told there are no foundations to any rumours that suggest that the Post Office will leave Crook.”

The Co-operative store employs 83 people, who are all at risk of being made redundant when the shop shuts its doors on November 29.

The chain has decided to sell off the store to Lidl, who plan to carry out extensive works to the premises, meaning the shop and subsequently the Post Office, would be closed until next summer.

This would mean locals would have to travel out of the area to use postal services.

The Post Office in Crook is currently open Monday to Saturday, 9am till 5pm.