HOPES are high that a threat to the future of Beacon Hill Post Office has been averted.

When Beacon Hill postmaster Clive Bingle informed the Post Office he would retire next March, local businesses were invited to take running the branch on, but there were no takers.

Concern mounted as the village looked set to lose its post office and, last week, more than 70 residents packed into a public meeting at the United Reformed Church, which was attended by Post Office area manager Mike Wilson, concerning its future.

Fearful residents were delighted to hear a new plan had been put forward to relocate the post office to the church’s community coffee shop.

URC minister Rev Ruth Dillon, who chaired the meeting, announced she was in talks with the Post Office to relocate the branch to The Hub cafe.

Mr Wilson told the meeting the Post Office had reviewed its criteria for suitable relocation sites to include charities. He said if it proved impossible to relocate the service, a mobile van could visit the village once or twice a week.

Under The Hub proposal, a part-time service could be provided for around 20 hours each week, probably on three to four mornings, including Saturdays, and on two afternoons. The full retail service could not be provided, but envelopes and relevant packaging materials would be sold.

The hope is the coffee shop would be open at the same time, serving drinks and light refreshments, and an appeal was made for would-be volunteers to sign up at The Hub, (9am to midday Monday to Friday).

There was almost unanimous support for The Hub plan, when villagers were asked for a show of hands in favour. The aim is the branch will reopen in its new home the next working day after the existing branch closes to ensure continuity of service.

Residents were urged to “use it or lose it”, as latest Post Office figures reveal the footfall at Beacon Hill has decreased from around 1,300 people a week in 2007, to 700 a week.

Having gained village backing for the project, a formal application for approval will now be made to Beacon Hill United Reformed Church’s elders and members and its Wessex Synod, followed by a public consultation.

If agreed, the Post Office will enter into a 12- month renewable contract with the church, with a six-month notice period. It was agreed another public meeting will be held in early January to provide an update on the progress of the plan.

A Post Office spokesman said: “The current postmaster at Beacon Hill has indicated he is probably going to resign in March 2017. We have been approached about the possibility of the branch relocating to the community café at Beacon Hill United Reformed Church. We are now exploring this suggestion. Any relocation would be subject to a six-week public consultation.”

A Haslemere Town Council spokesman said: “We recognise the need to retain a post office in Beacon Hill for its residents as it is an integral part of the community. The town council was delighted to learn of the URC’s bid to house the service and is fully supportive of this proposal.

“The church should be commended for actively seeking to accommodate the post office for its residents, and the town council will give the church all the support it needs in this venture.”