The owner of Odiham Post Office fears he may have to shut up shop permanently following the sudden departure of its popular sub-postmaster.
Paul Kemp left Odiham High Street’s post office and gift card shop on December 9.
Owner David Bristow temporarily closed the premises while he looked for a replacement.
Royal Mail refused to comment on the reasons for Mr Kemp’s departure, saying they do not discuss individual cases.
Royal Mail spokeswoman Valerie Antoine said: "We apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Odiham Post Office on December 9. This was due to circumstances beyond our control.”
The branch reopened on Monday, December 12.
Mr Kemp, from Eastleigh, has declined to comment.
Mr Bristow has brought in a temporary replacement, but he said Mr Kemp’s departure has left the post office’s future in doubt.
He told the Observer: “At the moment, there is a temporary postmistress working in the shop, but I have only patched it up. If I can’t find others to come in, it will have to close again. Postmasters or mistresses with the experience to work behind the counter are like gold dust these days – it’s a very awkward position I have been put in.”
Mr Bristow said people are so outraged at the loss of the well-loved community figure after two-and-a-half years behind the desk that they have written to north east Hampshire MP James Arbuthnot asking him to look into the matter.
“Paul’s such a popular man who’s known by so many people,” said Mr Bristow. “He actually pulled people in from other areas, who came in to see him rather than go to their local post office, coming even from places like Hartley Wintney, Basingstoke and Fleet.
“He was so good at his job – that’s what makes it so scandalous and that’s why people are writing to the MP. People feel very strongly about it.”
