PEOPLE will be able to send their mail more easily with the opening of a new post office in Chard.

The facility will re-locate from its current premises into a bigger and better site in Fore Street next month, meaning longer opening hours and shorter queues for customers.

Cllr Jill Shortland, who represents Chard South on Somerset County Council, welcomed the move.

She said: “I'm really pleased we have found a solution and that the post office will remain open in Chard. It's good that we'll have a facility in Chard, Tatworth and Forton so I'm glad this solution has been reached.”

The new location is 12 Fore Street - 150 metres away from its current base on the same street - and the service will open on Monday, March 17 at 1pm.

The Post Office says the improvements include:

  • a more central location
  • opening hours extended by six hours a week
  • access to Post Office services seven days a week
  • modern, open plan retail environment
  • a private financial services conversation area.

Two open-plan and one modern screened counter, plus a Post Office serving point, will be part of the upgrade. It will also double up as a card and stationary shop and get its own subpostmaster.

It will open 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 8.30am to 1pm on Sundays, with the extra operating hours made up by earlier openings and later closings during the week.

The current facility will be closed the day before the move, with customers advised to use the one in South Chard.

Will Russell, regional network manager for the south, said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in this area of Chard and we are confident the new branch will meet the needs of the 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.

“This investment, the largest in the history of the Post Office, makes a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”