COVID-19: Hailsham Post Office Service Update

Hailsham’s town centre post office is currently operating at nominally reduced hours during the latest COVID-19 lockdown period.

The post office, run by the Town Council and located at 10 High Street has remained open since the start of the pandemic in March, as an essential service to the local community.

The post office is currently open from 10am-4pm Monday to Friday and continues to remain open on Saturdays from 10am-1pm. However, this may be subject to change.

Physical distancing guidelines and other protocols are in place on the premises, in keeping with current Government recommendations. Members of the public must wear a face mask or other face covering when entering the post office building.

“This is a very challenging time for us all,” said Town Clerk and Postmaster, John Harrison. “We have to balance the need for the public’s access to many services and properties, but at the same time, promote public safety by following the strict hygiene and social distancing regulations currently in place.”

A concern among many residents is the recent closure of the Hailsham branch of Barclays Bank. However, the Town Council wishes to assure customers that normal bank transactions can be carried out in branch at the town centre Post Office located at 10 High Street, including business deposits.

With 373 banks scheduled to close across the UK this year, the National Federation of Sub Postmasters (NFSP) believes post offices can play a pivotal role in ensuring people and businesses experience as little detriment as possible from these bank branch closures.

Residents can access their high street bank accounts at the town centre Post Office – this service is free of charge and as long customers have their debit card with them, they can check your balance and withdraw or deposit cash. If you don’t have a debit card, some banks will still allow you to deposit cash via the Post Office, as long as you have a deposit slip.

The Post Office’s free everyday banking service is available to both businesses and individuals.

However, customers cannot transfer money from their account at the Post Office, or get advice on savings, credit, mortgages or other forms of lending offered by your bank. For these, you will need to contact your bank direct or visit in-branch. Information on which banks offer what services at the Post Office is available online at https://www.postoffice.co.uk/everydaybanking.

“Many banks tell us that changes in customer behaviour have been the driving force and principal reason for bank branch closures,” Town Clerk and Postmaster, John Harrison.

“An increasing number of people bank online and consequently make far fewer visits to branches. Whilst we fully understand the considerable uptake in the use of online banking in recent years, there are still people, particularly the elderly, who like to visit their branches and bank in person.”

“This is where we can help, not only Barclays Bank customers who have lost their local branch this week, but with transactions for customers of other banks and building societies too.”

For updates on the town centre post office – including changes to services and opening hours – please refer to the Town Council website: www.hailsham-tc.gov.uk.