Exmouth motorists and holidaymakers face travelling to Exeter or Sidmouth to renew driving licences and passports when the town centre Post Office closes at the end of the month.
An urgent campaign launched in the summer called on Post Office Ltd to safeguard the town's essential services after it was announced the Chapel Street post office was set to close on September 28 because major High Street retailer TJ Jones is to permanently shut its Magnolia Centre store.
While the Post Office waits to see if any businesses will take on hosting the service in the town, Exmouth residents needing to renew DVLA photocards will have to travel more than 10 miles to Heavitree, in Exeter, or to Sidmouth, because the service is not available locally.
Although some passport services can be found at the Post Office in Budleigh Salterton High Street, Sidmouth and Exeter are the nearest locations offering the full range once the Exmouth town centre counter closes.
Renewing vehicle tax in person will now require a trip to Brixington Post Office, in Churchill Road, or driving to Budleigh Salterton. The service is also available four miles away in Woodbury, or Clyst St Mary, a distance of seven miles.
Holidaymakers needing foreign currency and travel money from the end of September will have to go to Rivermead Post Office, Littleham Cross, or Brixington.
East Devon District Councillor Charlotte FitzGerald recently launched a campaign and petition in a bid to push the Post Office into action, calling for protection of essential postal, banking, and government services in Exmouth.
While Post Office Ltd has opened applications for a new host business in Exmouth, Cllr FitzGerald said she was "concerned" residents faced "significant disruption" amid a gap in provision while a new host location was found.
Cllr FitzGerald hoped a replacement branch would not scale down its services.
She urged the Post Office to "fast-track a new location" as soon as possible after September 28, provide temporary cover for "zero interruption" to the town's services, and guarantee Exmouth would retain its existing counter services.
She said: "With more public services and banks pushing people online every month, Exmouth Post Office is a critical remaining facility – helping to make sure everyone can access vital services whenever they need to.
"It's great to see the Post Office have invited applications for new hosts for Exmouth's main Post Office branch, but I'm worried that this may not be enough.
"We're calling on the Post Office to act urgently to make sure their new Exmouth home is open as soon as possible after 28th September, to provide temporary cover to make sure there is no gap in services – and to guarantee that any new branch offers the same services so Exmouth residents don't lose out."
David Reed, MP for Exmouth and Exeter east, has joined the fight to save the town's Post Office services.
He is demanding the Post Office explain its plans for Exmouth, plus any proposed new sites and services that will be available to residents.
Mr Reed said he has been working with Exmouth Town Council and the Post Office in a bid to bridge the gap until a new, permanent, location was found.
And he has called on LINK to carry out a Cash Access Assessment for Exmouth.
His Post Office campaign included launching a survey to gauge public view in Exmouth around a Banking Hub.
Mr Reed said he would work across the political spectrum to ensure Exmouth retained its full range of Post Office services.
Exmouth Post Office Closure Means Trips to Exeter or Sidmouth for Passport and Licence Renewals