RESIDENTS campaigning for a second post office in Portishead have been dealt a blow.

Customers of Costcutter supermarket in the West Hill area recently signed a petition calling for the service to be housed in the Avon Way store.

However, the Times understands this request has been rejected by the Post Office, due to the site’s close proximity to a former post office which was forced to close.

In the run-up to Christmas, as queues snake around the shop which houses Portishead’s only post office and spill out on to the High Street, residents are becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation.

Earlier in the year, town councillors took up the plight of disgruntled customers calling for a second service in the town and officials from the Post Office confirmed another facility would be introduced as soon as a suitable location could be found.

However, with the Post Office adamant the new development near the marina is the best location and no suitable premise currently being available, the project is at a standstill.

A spokesman for Post Office Limited said: “We are continuing to explore the possibility of providing an additional post office service in the Portishead area and the focus of our search remains in the marina area due to the development that has taken place.

“When introducing new services to the Post Office network we need to make ensure there is sufficient footfall to sustain a service.”

Mr Norman confirmed they are working hard with the town council to identify a suitable location but to date have not been made aware of any available sites.