A COMMUNITY has been left without shops after the closure of its long-serving post office.

Halkyn residents now face a three-mile round-trip along hilly rural roads to the nearest store in Pentre Halkyn.

The post office has closed after its postmasters announced their intention to retire and no takeover agreement was reached.

Halkyn resident Patrick Gallagher, 64, said the branch had always been a key part of the picturesque village since he moved there more than 20 years ago.

He said: “I am extremely sad to see the post office close.

“I have been going there for a long time and it has provided me with the things I wanted, including food, newspapers and magazines.

“It has been a very important part of Halkyn and will be very much missed.

“We are now left without any shops in the community and it is a long way for people to walk to Pentre Halkyn, particularly for pensioners.”

The store was run by Robert Sykes and his wife Ann.

The couple did not wish to comment on the closure except to say the post office was advertised for sale in recent weeks and interest had been limited.

Halkyn community councillor Bob Robinson said there was a possibility the building could be revived, with local residents having shown interest in preserving the premises.

He said: “The closure is a great shame but it is no fault of Bob and Ann who did a great job and have done their best to try and sell it.

“If something can be done with the store to keep a shop in Halkyn then that has to be good news.

“It is going to be very difficult for some residents to walk to Pentre Halkyn as buses are infrequent.”

While Halkyn Post Office has closed, Pentre Halkyn Post Office insisted its future is not under threat.

Marylyn Shuell, its postmistress, said: “I am very sorry to see Halkyn Post Office is closing.

“We are both an important part of our communities.”

Although Pentre Halkyn Post Office has previously been up for sale, Mrs Shuell said this is no longer the case.

- Pentre Halkyn Post Office is open 6.30am to 7.30pm Mondays to Fridays, 7.30pm to 7.30pm on Saturdays and 9am to 3.30pm on Sundays.