AFTER nearly three years without an official Post Office, Watchet residents are being asked if they want it back, and if so, would they help to run it?

Kate Kennedy, owner of the former Swain Street Post Office which finally closed as a shop in December, has appealed online for local views.

Mrs Kennedy wants to gauge if there would be support for a community-run Post Office in the building on the lines of those being run successfully in villages including Roadwater, Crowcombe, and Stogumber.

More than 200 messages have supported its return, saying how difficult life had become without one.

A typical comment was: “We cannot think of anything which is more needed in Watchet than a really good Post Office.”

There has been no permanent Post Office since Emily and Mark Richards-Littlefield gave up their businesses in Watchet and Alcombe in 2023.

Mrs Kennedy said: “I want to find out whether bringing a Post Office back is something the Watchet community wants or needs.

“Nothing is decided yet, this is about listening to local views.

“If there is enough interest, the next step could be to form a small steering group to explore feasibility and take this forward.

“At the moment, we need a lot more information.

“I have contacted the Post Office and also been in touch with people who have set up community post offices.

“I am encouraged by the reaction we are getting and will be asking people to sign petitions and write letters of support.”

Mrs Kennedy said if the scheme went ahead, one possibility would be to rent the shop to a local business while keeping space for a community Post Office.

Another option was an outreach branch run from another Post Office.

Mrs Kennedy said the reaction on social media had been overwhelmingly in favour of opening a community Post Office.