THERE is a new promise of continued post office services in Hay-on-Wye, despite the postmaster retiring after 35 years in the role.

The announcement of the post office's closure led to "much concern" in the border town, the local chamber of commerce said, but it has now been made fresh promises.

Steve Like's family has run the post office in Hay-on-Wye for more than 60 years, but for the past five years he has unsuccessfully tried to sell the business.

Wanting to take retirement, Mr Like was left with no option but to hand his notice in to the Post Office.

The Post Office has said it remains committed to providing services in the town, and plans are being made to ensure there is a continuity of services.

Hay-on-Wye Chamber of Commerce said: "We know that there has been much concern in Hay since Steve Like announced that he was retiring and closing Hay post office at the end of June.

"For years Hay post office has provided a key service to businesses and residents in the town and surrounding areas, even more so since the banks closed.

"We would like to thank Steve and his team for their hard work and dedication, especially in the last year, which has been challenging for all of us."

It added: "The idea of Hay without a post office is horrible to think about but this is a very strong promise from Post Office to provide a new site in Hay and to minimise the disruption caused by any gap between the old site closing and the new post office opening.

"Until the new site is confirmed, we will be working with Hay Town Council, Gareth Ratcliffe and Fay Jones MP as well as the team from Access to Cash to ensure a positive outcome for Hay.

The chamber said that as part of the Access to Cash pilot scheme in Hay-on-Wye, which sees some shops offer cashback without a purchase, it had spoken to the Post Office.

In a statement to the chamber, the Post Office said: “Our long serving postmaster in Hay-on-Wye plans to retire this year after 35 years of supporting the local Hay community, and we thank him for his loyal service.

"Post Office remains committed to providing services for the local Hay-on-Wye community and are actively identifying alternative locations to establish a new post office.

"More information will be made available as these plans progress and we will ensure there is a continuity of post office services as this transition takes place.”