MEDSTEAD Post Office has opened at its’ new location - The Handy Store on the village High Street.

It is a modern local branch with Post Office services provided from a low-screened counter alongside the retail till.

Opening hours are significantly extended than at the previous branch. The new hours are Monday to Friday: 7am to 6pm; Saturday: 7am-4pm; Sunday: 7am-noon.

This is an extra 33 hours a week of PO service including Sunday morning and Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

The branch opens significantly earlier and closes later than the previous High Street branch. It also marks an end to lunchtime closing. These changes make it far more convenient for customers to visit.

The relocation is part of a major 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.

Medstead Post Office has been temporarily closed since March 1 as the temporary postmaster had resigned ahead of the approved relocation to The Handy store.

Suzanne Richardson, regional network manager, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure. We are delighted to have a new permanent branch with significantly extended opening hours. This makes 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. This modernisation is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the PO and will secure services for the future.”