AS high street stores close left right and centre, the Post Office is bucking the trend by opening new branches all over the shop.

Alton is now home to a new post office in Premier Stores at Raven Square. It is open seven days a week.

As part of “an exciting modernisation and investment programme” taking place across the Post Office network, the new branch opened its doors last Thursday (January 31).

It offers customers a wide range of classic Post Office services, from posting letters and parcels to collecting and returning online shopping items. Customers can also take advantage of a range of banking services, including cash withdrawals and balance enquiries for all main UK banks.

Mike Ball, Post Office multiple account executive, was happy with Alton’s new branch opening its doors.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for customers to pay their bills, withdraw cash from their bank accounts, and send and collect their mail at a time and place that suits them best,” he added.

“We know how important our services are to customers, and are confident that this new post office alongside the other branches in the area at Alton and Holybourne will ensure that people in this area of Alton have easy access to our services.”

The new Post Office services are available seven days a week throughout the store’s opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 7am-9pm; Sunday: 8am-8pm. A spokesman said this offers “an impressive 96 hours of Post Office service a week”, making it “very convenient for customers to visit”.

Another new post office opened at the Co-op in Four Marks yesterday.