New Post Office is set to open in Cam (From Gazette Series)

New Post Office is set to open in Cam

RESIDENTS in Cam gave a sigh of relief this week as the search for a new Post Office came to an end.

The long-running saga, which started when Tesco took over the Co-op store in Cam and refused to continue housing the Post Office, was ended with the announcement that a local businesswoman had won the franchise.

Jo Yeung, already owner of Take Note stationery in the village, said she was pleased to inform people that she had won the new Cam Post Office franchise and hoped to have it open by Easter.

She told the Gazette: "Out of 10 applicants it was ours that the Post Office liked.

"We were told the good news just before Christmas and now we want to tell the community of Cam."

Residents were left without a Post Office in October last year and many have since been forced to send mail and collect pensions and benefits from Dursley Post Office or use the temporary branch arranged by Stroud District Council. The temporary set up was located in Chapel Street car park adjacent to the old Co-op store but was only ever a short-term solution.

Mrs Yeung said villagers had missed the post office facility and had expressed great concern over its uncertain future in the village.

She said: "When we had one we took it for granted but once it was gone we really missed it.

"We need a Post Office to sustain village life and to bring in more business."

Mrs Yeung said they hoped to have the new Post Office, which will be located within Take Note, open by May.

She said: "We need to extend the shop and at the moment we are going through the planning application process to have the premises extended.

"We hope to have the Post Office up and running by April or May."

Mrs Yeung also reassured local residents by guaranteeing all current Post Office staff a job.

She said: "We will be taking on the existing Post Office staff to keep some continuity for our customers."