The Post Office has shelved plans to re-locate one of their South Oxhey branches after discovering the unit is set to be demolished.

The company had planned to move their Prestwick Road branch into McColls, in The Parade and consulted the public on these plans during October and November. 

But plans were shelved after Post Office Ltd. was told the shop could be in the first phase of shops to be revitalised as part of the South Oxhey Initiative.

A letter seen by the Watford Observer said: "Unfortunately, the proposed new premises is no longer available for our Post Office use and we are therefore unable to progress with the move of Prestwick Road Post Office at this time."

However, when asked for a comment, they said: ""Post Office Ltd had been consulting on moving Prestwick Road Post Office from its current site at 39 The Parade, South Oxhey, Watford, WD19 7EF to McColls Retail Group Ltd, 12 The Parade, South Oxhey, Watford, WD19 7HD. 

"This proposed move was with the current postmaster’s agreement.

"In the meantime a decision has been made to demolish the whole parade of shops including the Post Office and McColls convenience store.

"The branch will continue to operate from its existing location for the time being and any future move will be subject to a further period of six week public consultation." 

Councillor Stephen Cox, leader of Three Rivers Labour Group, while responding to the consultation, questioned whether it would be "better to wait until the demolition of the second block containing the present Post Office and secure a space then in the redeveloped area".

Councillor Cox added: "This is all very bemusing for people.

"The project has been in the offing since 2011 and it is not a state secret what is scheduled to be demolished and the process of finding a developer started before the Post Office announced its consultation.

"It is all a bit of a pantomime. The Post Office needs a long term plans for South Oxhey."