BEACON Hill is celebrating the Post Office’s decision to continue to provide a branch service for villagers – with the opening due on Valentine’s Day.

There were fears a year ago, when village postmaster announced he would be retiring in 2017 and the service would need to relocate, that it could close.

One plan was to relocate the post office to The Hub at Beacon Hill United Reformed Church but under that proposal, it would have been a part-time service for around 20 hours each week.

In September, the Post Office proposed relocating the service to 1 Hampton Terrace, Beacon Hill Road, where it could offer a seven-days-a-week service, with longer opening hours than at the existing branch.

Following its six-week consultation on the proposal, the move has now been officially confirmed and a new branch with Post Office services delivered from a low-screened till alongside the retail counter of the convenience store will open on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.

The current branch in Beacon Hill Road, will close with the postmaster’s agreement on the day before at 5.30pm.

The new opening hours will be Monday to Saturday from 7am-8pm and 7am-4pm on Sunday. This will mean the branch will open significantly earlier and will close much later for customer convenience.

There will also be improved access as there is a step down into the branch at the current premises, but there will be level access at the proposed location.

The move will be 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.

Regional network manager Suzanne Richardson 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 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 Post Office and will secure services for the future.

“During public consultation we received 26 individual responses from customers and representatives.

“The feedback welcomed the ease of access, more modern spacious premises and the longer opening hours the change would provide.

“This will be a new-style ‘local plus’ branch with an enhanced range of products including manual banking, Transcash, and Royal Mail and Parcelforce International Services. Cheques will continue to be accepted as a method of payment.”

Welcoming the decision, mayor Malcolm Carter said: “This enhanced post office service is great news for our residents, and I very much hope they will make good use of it. I know many people have been working hard to ensure this outcome and the outgoing postmaster, in particular, should be recognised for his patience during this process.”