Cardigan Post Office is to remain closed into the New Year prompting urgent calls to restore a service in the town after the High Street office closed its doors before Christmas because of what was said to be “unforeseen circumstances.”

Despite a demand by Mid and West Wales AM Joyce Watson for answers to the continued closure the Post Office was yesterday unable to say when service would be resumed.

Coach company Richards Bros is putting on a special bus service for Cardigan residents to access funds at St Dogmaels Post Office and also for people living north of the town to outlets in the Aberporth area. Posters giving details of the service have been distributed and information can also be obtained from local Ceredigion County Councillor Catrin Miles (tel. 01239 613637).

Apologising for the situation a Post Office spokesperson said attempts were being made to restore service with an on-site option at the existing premises the preferred route as this would see a resumption of service in the shortest timescale.

“We would like to give an assurance that we are doing everything we can to restore the service as soon as possible and are committed to maintaining service in the area,” said the spokesperson.

Calling for a speedy solution Joyce Watson expressed sympathy with pensioners and others experiencing hardship.

She said “Phrases like ‘unforeseen circumstances’ are just not good enough when it comes to something like the Post Office.”

Going on to say an elderly constituent informed her she was not able to draw her pension in the run-up to Christmas she said “As well as causing disruption for customers and local businesses the closure has affected pensioners who depend on social security payments. They were unable to access their money in the run-up to Christmas.

“Going to alternative post offices is not an option for everyone and a solution must be found sooner rather than later.”