Smarden Community Store & Post Office

When the Prime Minister made the lockdown announcement, Smarden Community Store & Post Office was within days of completion and opening to provide a service to the community. The virus situation has slowed progress on site so that safety is maintained with strictly limited numbers working inside or outside the building at any one time. Even though the PO counter is in place, and their alarm system activated, for the time being PO Ltd staff will not attend site to authorise their retail system. This means a delay to opening the Post Office counte

Food and grocery items remain vital to everyone. Despite the delays, it is expected that the store will open in some format in the near future. But it won’t be as in normal times. More likely to be a collection and delivery service. Items will be supplied in a manner to ensure physical distancing to minimise possibility of any cross-infection. We will also work with existing community partners so that all of us can best support the village. We will inform everyone as soon as a definitive store starting date is set. Thank you all for your understanding and patience. Joel Arnstein Chair, Smarden Community Store and Post Office