THE Post Office has announced proposals to move its Medstead branch to a location which, it says, will be able to offer “significantly longer opening hours in a more modern and convenient setting”.

While there had been rumblings from neighbouring Four Marks that a rural post office would better meet the needs of the community by moving to a location nearer to the more densely populated area of Four Marks and South Medstead, the plan is to relocate the post office outlet currently located at Medstead Hardware to The Handy Store, but a stone’s throw away in Medstead High Street.

And the Post Office is inviting customers and interested parties to take part in a six-week consultation in a bid to gauge public opinion.

According Post Office Ltd, the move would facilitate the opening of a modern, local branch with post office services provided from a low-screened counter alongside the store’s retail till.

Opening hours would be 7am-6pm Monday to Friday, 7am-4pm on Saturday, and 7am to noon on Sunday.

This would provide an extra 33 hours per week of post office services, including Sunday morning and Wednesday and Saturday afternoon opening. The branch would open significantly earlier and would close later. It would also mark an end to lunchtime closing – changes which Post Office Ltd believe would make it far more convenient for customers to visit.

The relocation plan is part of a multi-million pound modernisation programme across the Post Office network designed to make it easier for customers to do business, through longer opening hours and modern, open-plan environments.

Suzanne Richardson, the Post Office’s regional network manager, said: “We are making it easier for customers to get their cash, send and collect their mail and do their banking because we know how important these services are to local residents.

“We are confident that this vibrant, new-style post office at the heart of the local community will meet customer needs.”

And she added: “This modernisation is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office, and will secure services for the future.”

The public consultation into the Medstead post office proposals closes on February 15 when feedback on any issues customers raise will be considered before a final decision is taken.

Submissions can be made by Freepost: Your comments to Post Office Ltd, by e-mailing [email protected], via the customer helpline on 03457 223344, or textphone 03457 223355.

Customers can also share their views online at postofficeviews.co.uk, using the branch code 111904.