Brenchley Post Office

The future for Brenchley Post Office and store has been the subject of much debate and concern in recent months, including the survey carried out before Christmas and as a main topic for the Annual Parish Assembly (APA) held in March, the annual public meeting for the parish to get together.

There have been numerous calls by the Parish Council (PC) for potential supporters to come forward to get involved with the necessary fund-raising and future management of the shop following the expiry of the current lease to Chris and Andy King. This included a ‘final call’ to action when it was made clear at the APA that a decision had to be made imminently.  Despite that and the many expressed views wishing to retain the Post Office, there have, sadly, been no offers forthcoming.

As indicated at the APA, the subject therefore formed part of the Agenda for the Parish Council meeting on 2^nd April and, in the absence of any such support, it was resolved to allow the covenant on the title deeds of the Old Palace to be released.

Chris and Andy King have been involved in the discussions throughout and had expressed a desire to remain in the shop for a while longer.  Following an approach to the landlord by the PC, an extension of the current lease has been agreed from October 2024 to expire in October 2025.  At that point, the shop and Post Office will have to close.

No doubt we will all be very sad to see the end of the Post Office and shop when it finally closes and would like to extend sincere thanks and very best wishes to Chris and Andy King for their much-valued contribution to Brenchley and neighbouring areas for so many years, not least during the Covid pandemic, when they continued to operate throughout despite the restrictions.