A WESTON newsagent, which currently holds one of the town’s remaining Post Offices, will close at the end of the month and an application to create two separate stores has been submitted.

McColls, based in The Boulevard, will shut up shop on Saturday leading the Post Office, which maintains a counter at the back of the store, to also pull down its shutters.

A planning application has now been submitted to North Somerset Council by Martin McColls Ltd which has asked for permission to build a partition wall which will divide the store into two separate units.

The application includes changes to the shopfront to create a second entrance to allow access to both units. Double doors will also be added at the back of the property.

A spokesman from McColls refused to comment on the reasons for the closure.

News of the Post Office closure comes following the resignation of the current sub-postmaster, which means the site is no longer available for Post Office use.

The Mercury has previously reported criticism from Weston councillor Mike Bell on the move and his concerns over the Regent Street branch.

Now the closing date is drawing near he still fears the facility could close for good with no news of an alternative site.

An email to Cllr Bell, regarding his concerns, from Post Office communication and consultation manager Jane Lynskey stated the company is now looking at all options available when the current branch closes.

She said: “Although there may be several convenience stores in the area, we are very much reliant on the local business community to come forward and express an interest in taking on the service. I do appreciate there is a degree of uncertainty around future service provision in the area, but we will continue to look at all options available to us.”

Cllr Bell added: “It does rather lead one to believe that their intention is to close both town centre branches and, at best, combine into a single venue of unknown location, which may or may not be a good thing.

“Of course at worst, we could lose a town centre Post Office altogether, which would be bad news for businesses, residents and visitors.”