Ollaberry post office move

THE OLLABERRY post office is set to move up the road to the shop after the long-serving village postmistress Jean Stephen retires early in the new year.

The 66 year old has been running the local post and sorting office since 1981 but she has been associated with the role for much longer, going back to her early 20s when she was deemed too young to be in charge of a post office.

Since 2009 she also provided post office outreach services to neighbouring Hillswick.

On Friday, she said she was “pleased” that the north mainland village would continue to have a post office.

Two postmen using the sorting office would also move to the new location at the shop.

The Post Office said the move would result in a modern, open-plan local-style branch with extended opening hours.

The company has now launched a six-week long consultation and is inviting customers and interested parties to give their comments on the move.

Regional manager Suzanne Richardson said: “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 Post Office.”

Should the move go ahead in February, the new branch would open seven days a week, from 9am – 6pm Monday to Saturday and 3pm to 5pm on Sunday – a total of 57 hours a week.

During the public consultation, Post Office Ltd welcomes feedback on any issues customers would like considered before a final decision is taken on this The consultation will close on 15 January 2018. Submissions can be made during the consultation by Freepost YOUR COMMENTS to Post Office Ltd, via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk,via the Customer Helpline on 03457 22 33 44 or Textphone 03457 22 33 55.

Customers can also share their views online through the quick and easy questionnaire at www.postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 11984999.