Local Councillor says closure of last remaining post office in Shenfield is a 'huge blow'
It means the closest post office is on Brentwood High Street, over a mile away.
Last updated 19th Apr 2025
Morrisons has been described as “appalling” after they close a local shop in Shenfield, which also means losing the last remaining local Post Office.
The Morrison’s Daily store next to Shenfield station, which replaced McColl’s in Hutton Road, has closed.
The supermarket chain said the shop was not making enough money to break even.
This meant the closure of the Shenfield Broadway Post Office, which was located in the store, on Sunday (April 13th), but efforts are being made to find a new location within Shenfield.
This could be in the other Morrisons store on Hutton Road or elsewhere.
However, the decision has sparked concerns that it will affect businesses and residents.
Brentwood borough Councillor David Worsfold (Lib Dem, Shenfield)- who represents the area- said: “The news that Shenfield has lost its Post Office with the closure of Morrisons is a significant blow to residents and businesses in the town.
“To take the Post Office down with them Morrison's is appalling.
"People will have to travel either to Brentwood, or there is a small post office on Woodlands Road in Hutton.
"That's incredibly inconvenient for people, especially those who are reliant on public transport or those who aren't particularly mobile.
Cllr Worsfold- who's lived in the town for almost 30 years- added that it'll 'negatively impact local business', after the last remaining banks (Barclay's) closed a few years ago.
"Two years ago, we lost our last bank when Barclays pulled out, reneging on the ‘last bank standing’ deal among the major banks.
“As they left, they pointed across the road to the Post Office, saying that would meet the needs of residents and businesses.
"Now, we won’t even have that.
"It means local businesses no longer have anywhere they can deposit cash in the town."
However, in Brentwood, the town’s main post office, which moved to WH Smith when the Baytree Centre was refurbished, is facing some change as Modella Capital has acquired WH Smith’s High Street business.
Brentwood MP Alex Burghurt said: “Modella is very enthusiastic about having Post Offices in their stores, as they bring footfall into those shops and generate significant revenues, so is in talks with Post Office Limited about how Post office services can remain in Brentwood High Street.
“Post Office Limited has assured me it will continue to adhere to its Access Criteria set by HM Government and meet its requirement to maintain 11,500 branches across the UK.
"I will keep a close eye on what happens across the constituency, and please let me know if you have any concerns.”
A spokesperson for Morrisons said: “We are disappointed to be in a position where closure is necessary and will work hard to mitigate the impact of this on colleagues, customers and the local community.
"Our priority now is to support colleagues who have been placed at risk of redundancy and ensure that as many as possible are offered alternative employment at a nearby Morrisons Daily store or Morrisons supermarket."