WISBECH’S main Post Office branch will close if suitable town centre retail premises can be found to accommodate the service instead, the Post Office announced this week.

The premises in Bridge Street are one of 70 Crown Post Offices seeking new accommodation within town centre shops, in a bid to save cash and ensure their future.

Kevin Gilliland, network and sales director at the Post Office said: “Wisbech branch serves thousands of customers every week. However, we must change the way it operates to ensure its long term viability and to maintain services for people in the area.

“We already have over 10,000 branches which operate through franchises and agreements with retailers so we know this model works. We welcome approaches from potential retail partners who want to work with us to provide our customers with high levels of customer service and easy access to Post Office products from a modern retail space.”

Mr Gilliand said the Crown network is currently losing £40m a year of public money, and partnering 70 branches with retailers and investing £70m in 300 other Crown branches is the best way to keep Post Offices on the high street.

If a suitable retailer is found to accommodate Wisbech Post Office, then a six week public consultation will be carried out before any move takes place.

The Post Office plans to move the branch before April 2015, but if no suitable partner can be found, the branch will remain open.

Retailers can visit www.postoffice.co.uk/business-opportunities to find out more or email franchise.opportunities@postoffice.co.uk to request a copy of the registration of interest form. All completed registration forms must be submitted by May 27.