ALCOMBE Post Office will be relocating in March after plans to move the service to Alcombe News were given the go-ahead.

The Post Office revealed plans in October last year to move the service from 69 Alcombe Road to 49 Alcombe Road.

A six-week public consultation took place before a decision was made.

Opening hours will be extended by 19 hours a week, including Sundays as part of plans to modernise the service.

The current branch will close on Tuesday, March 4, at 5.30pm.

The new branch will open on Wednesday, March 5, at 1pm.

Peter Tusker, who has run Alcombe News with his wife Thea for 12 years, said they were asked by the Post Office if they would like to take over the duties.

He said: “We are very pleased that the post office is coming to Alcombe News.

“It is so important to keep a post office in Alcombe for the people of Alcombe.

“Our staff members have been so supportive during the last few months and we will be welcoming a new member of staff who is Post Office trained.

“There will be some disruption due to refurbishment of the store for a few days starting on January 27.

“We apologise for any disruption and inconvenience this causes and we will be operating from 5.30am-10.30am for papers and accessories.

“After this, we will close for health and safety reasons but we will be operating from the hardware shop next door.”

Opening hours will be Monday to Saturday, 7.30am to 5.30pm, and Sunday, 7.30am to 12.30pm, when the post office opens in March.

Post Office regional network manager Will Russell said: “We understand how important having a post office is to residents in the area and we are confident this proposal and the new modern branch will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.

“The modernisation is part of a major investment programme to convert the Post Office network to new style branches and this investment, the largest in the history of the Post Office, makes a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”