A temporary Portakabin post office is set to open on the Gladstone Road car park next month, the Gazette can reveal.

The news has been welcomed by protesters fighting against the loss of Whitstable’s central office, which closed last month amid a wave of protests.

Although an opening date has not yet been set, office bosses have ordered a Portakabin and it will be delivered on Monday, June 1.

Whitstable campaigner Julie Wassmer, from protest group Save Whitstable Crown Post Office, welcomed the news.

She said: “We welcome the fact that the temporary post office service will be in operation in June hopefully.

“But this is what should have been put on the Gladstone Road car park on April 30.

“There was no reason for that not to happen.

“Whitstable has been deprived of a central post office service since April 29 and that was unnecessary.

“It has caused hardship and stress for people. It has caused hardship for business owners but also caused hardship to elderly residents.”

Since the central office shut last month, residents have had to use alternatives in Seasalter, Tankerton and Swalecliffe.

Post Office spokesman Suzette Rabout said: “Post Office Ltd is committed to restoring a post office service in Whitstable and we have been working with Canterbury City Council to agree use of the Gladstone Road car park to install a Portakabin on a temporary basis.

“A Portakabin has been ordered and the delivery date is expected to be from June 1.

“The Post Office will not be operational from this date, however, we would like to reassure customers that we are working hard to restore a Post Office service in Whitstable and we will advise customers of the confirmed opening date as soon as possible.

“In addition to offering Post Office services from a portakabin we are exploring all possible locations that have been put forward that could offer space for a Post Office service in Whitstable.”

COUNCIL COMMENT

Canterbury City Council spokesman Rob Davies said: “The council is currently in the process of completing work on a temporary lease of 18 months for the post office to operate a Portakabin on part of Gladstone Road car park.

"There is some lead in time for it to become operational, which is in the hands of the post office.

“This will result in the loss of around 15 spaces in the car park, but we believe the retention of post office services in the centre of Whitstable is of real benefit to the town and we have the support of the Chamber of Commerce and others in this.

“A lot of hard work has been put in by the council to turn this lease around as quickly as possible, thus limiting the amount of time the town centre has been without a post office.”