Framlingham post office to return home to Riverside next week after six months at Bulstrodes

Framlingham’s flood-stricken post office is set to return to its usual home after almost seven months following extensive repair work.

The branch, in Riverside, was flooded after torrents of water, brought by Storm Babet, swept through the town in October.

Framlingham was among the worst-hit parts of Suffolk after the River Ore to burst its banks.

A number of businesses offered a space for a temporary branch, so residents would not lose access to the vital service.

Postmaster Roger Tripp was offered a counter at Bulstrodes, in Bridge Street, which he has maintained since early November.

Bill Bulstrode, who runs the department store, was named a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for his services to the community, including allowing the post office to use his shop.

Since October, extensive repair work has been taking place at its old premises – with it now being ready to re-welcome customers.

The temporary store will shut at noon tomorrow and the Riverside branch is expected to reopen on Monday, depending on system updates.

Wendy Hamilton, Post Office Ltd’s network provision lead, said she understood how vital the firm’s services were to a community.

Ms Hamilton said: “We worked with Roger Tripp and the Framlingham community to rapidly find the best location for a temporary post office.

“This allowed us to restore vital post office services in Framlingham, whilst all the repairs and clean up take place at the Riverside shop.”

She offered her thanks to Bulstrodes for providing space for its two counters over the past six months.

“The community really rallied round,” she added.

“Roger has been working hard to re-open the post office at its normal premises and to get replacement stock for the retail side.”