The future of  Alderley Edge Post Office is in jeopardy again after a relocation deal fell through.

And villagers have been told if they don’t fight, they will lose it.

Villagers  thought it was safe when it was announced in June that the shop would move to the Co-op on The Parade.

But last week the  Co-op  pulled out.

The Post Office will stay  on London Road for now, with two temporary postmasters, but landlord Bluemantle is under pressure to find a new tenant.

Campaigners rallied a year ago  when there was an application by the Bubble Room to extend into the shop, but there is said to be less anger  this time. Mitch Gilbert, chairman of Alderley Edge Action Group and owner of Rainbow Balloons, said:  “It’s interesting that they are not talking about it this time. There is more apathy. 

“Perhaps people assume it will be resolved again.

“But it’s in limbo and we are up against time, it will only hit us when it’s gone.”

Coun Mary Maczkowiak warned: “People assumed the Post Office was safe but it does have to find somewhere else to go. 

“If people want to save it they must shout about it and use it – once it’s gone it's gone.”

A Co-op spokesman said they decided the shop ‘would not provide a satisfactory location for a Post Office’.

The Co-op refused to comment further.

Paul Tomlinson, former parish councillor, said: “The relocation of safes was always going to cost £20,000 so I’m not sure how the Co-op thing got so far.”

He said he was aware  of a local person interested in taking over the Post Office, but they were struggling to make a business plan work.

Speculation about alternative locations includes the Alderley Edge Union Club and Tesco.

 Coun Frank Keegan has said the parish council could part-fund it as a last resort.

 He said:  “This is not resolved and people need to make their feelings known.”

A Post Office spokesman said:  “We remain committed to keeping a Post Office in Alderley Edge.”