A CONSULTATION on the planned reopening of North Road Post Office in a pub nearby has been opened.

The branch closed a year ago this month and locals feared it would be lost forever but the Gazette reported last month how the Codrington Arms had agreed to reopen the service in a barn at the back of the pub.

Landlady Jenna Hale said she was delighted to be offer Post Office services to local residents again and hoped the branch would open this summer.

The Post Office has now launched a consultation on details of the new ‘local’ branch, a new concept for the Post Office which will include a convenience shop and a modern open-plan Post Office.

It will open six days a week and will be open for 43 hours a week.

Members of the public are invited to have their say on the planned reopening before a final decision is made.

Simon Drinkwater, Post Office area manager, said: “We are now able to restore the service. A new operator has been appointed, providing us with the opportunity to incorporate Post Office services very close to the previously closed branch.

“This reopening is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office.”

The consultation will close on June 8. 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 or by filling in a questionnaire at postofficeviews.co.uk quoting branch code 265511.