Partners in Real English Drinks House – which opened a pop-up shop until Christmas Eve at the Old Bakery in West Street – are also two of the three masterminds behind the successful campaign to save Haslemere’s town-centre post office.

Campaign leader and former mayor Brian Howard’s son Douglas and Richard Edwards have launched Redh, which bought the freehold of the iconic Edwardian post office in West Street.

Their plan for a new bar, cafe, post office and retail establishment was given the green light by Waverley planners earlier this year, and building work starts in late January with late-April reopening planned.

Douglas, who has trained as a postmaster to run the service, said: “Redh has fought hard to save the much-needed post office in Haslemere, so the post office counter will be staying and will become an upgraded and unique feature of our establishment.

“I am incredibly excited about the development of the post office in Haslemere.

“Upgrading and refurbishing this beautiful building to house Redh, and as an added bonus retaining and enhancing the post office for local people, is something we all feel passionately about.

“It will provide an imaginative addition to Haslemere’s retail mix while also insuring a post office counter service that is worthy of our great town.”

The Old Bakery will be the temporary home for Haslemere post office, when the counter closes at 5.30pm on Thursday, January 24, and the building work begins.

It is due to reopen again in its old home on April 30.

The temporary post office at 32 West Street opens on Friday, January 25 from 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday , which is five hours more than what is currently on offer.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “Haslemere post office has been operated by a temporary postmaster, meaning the current service was liable to close at short notice.

“We have been actively seeking a more secure solution that would enable us to retain services into the longer term. The new permanent post office will also be open on Sunday from midday to 5.30pm.

“We are delighted to have appointed a new permanent postmaster with strong links to Haslemere.

“Douglas Howard is a local businessman. His father Brian Howard was twice Haslemere mayor.

“Along with Richard Edwards, a local accountant, they were all keen to retain it in its existing building and to restore it to its former glory for the benefit of the community.”