Eye welcomes return of permanent Post Office after more than two years
Residents had been travelling to nearby towns for services after the previous branch closed in 2023.
A permanent Post Office has returned to Eye for the first time in more than two years, with residents already queuing for services during the branch’s first day of trading.
The new branch has opened following a two-year search for suitable premises after the town’s previous Post Office closed in 2023.
The service is now being run by local postmaster Minesh Patel, who also operates the Post Office in Mendlesham.
Speaking during the branch’s opening week, Mr Patel said residents from Eye had regularly travelled several miles to Mendlesham to access basic Post Office services after the town lost its previous branch.
“I had everyday people coming all the way from Eye to Mendlesham to use Post Office services,” he said.
“That made me enquire why that was happening, and then I found they lost their Post Office two-and-a-half years ago.”
Mr Patel said finding a suitable building for both a retail shop and a Post Office counter had taken around two years.
“Just opening only a Post Office is financially not viable for me,” he said.
“If I set up a retail unit with a Post Office, then I can survive with that.
“Post Office brings a lot of footfall and that makes my retail side do well.”
The reopening follows work by district councillor Lucy Elkin and Waveney Valley MP Adrian Ramsay, who both supported efforts to restore a permanent branch to the town.
Mr Ramsay visited the new branch during its first week of operation.
He said: “I’m delighted that, following a lot of behind-the-scenes work from Green councillor Lucy Elkin, Eye now has a permanent Post Office again.
“For far too long, residents have been left without this vital service.
“With no bank in the town, having a Post Office is crucial for businesses and residents.”
Cllr Elkin said residents had repeatedly raised concerns about losing access to services in the town.
“Since the previous Post Office closed, residents have consistently told me how important it was to restore this vital service to Eye,” she said.
“I am delighted that, after a great deal of work behind the scenes with Minesh, we now once again have a permanent Post Office in Eye.”
Mr Patel described Post Offices as “vital” in rural communities, particularly in areas without banks or cash machines.
The branch provides services including banking, postage, travel money and driving licence renewals.
“We already done like two hours of Post Office trading and I seen a queue already,” he said.
“We hope we serving better this community in Eye.”