Plans to move a town’s post office into a former pub appear to be in tatters after no agreement for the lease could be made.

Tonbridge High Street has been without a permanent Post Office since July last year after WH Smith closed its doors.

In August it was announced the sorting office would temporarily base its efforts within the grounds of Tonbridge Castle but staffing issues and problem with internet connection caused initial problems for its service.

In January talks had begun between the company and the owner of the unit which previously housed The Beer Seller in the high street but no agreement could be made. Now, the Post Office has explained it may need to begin searching again

A spokesman for the company said: “A new, experienced, Postmistress, took over the running of Tonbridge Post Office at Tonbridge Castle Gateway this month.

“Longer term the aim is to relocate to a permanent shop location in the town centre.

“There was a location in mind, but a lease has not been secured. The search for a permanent location may have to restart.

“In the meantime, Tonbridge Post Office will continue to operate from Castle Gateway. We are very grateful to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council for kindly providing this space since the shop, where the Post Office had been based, closed down.”

Tom Tugendhat has posted a video to Facebook to say he had held a meeting with the Post Office and Tonbridge and Malling Councillor Matt Boughton to discuss the situation.

In it he said: “The reality is this is not where we hoped to be and frankly I’m disappointed in the result.

“There are other options so this is far from over and the Post Office will remain open at the castle.

“We have options going forward and I will be pressing them and over the next fortnight we should have more news.”

There are no plans to stop operations at Tonbridge Castle and its usual opening hours of Monday-Friday, 9.30am-4pm remain the same.