MP welcomes opening of new post office near Market Drayton
An MP has spoken of her delight after it was confirmed a post office is to return to a village more than 12 months after the previous one closed its doors.
The Post Office is reopening Audlem Post Office at a new location where it will open as a modern open-plan local-style branch.
MP Antoinette Sandbach has been working with Audlem Parish Council to exert pressure on the Post Office to find a solution in order to reopen the branch.
She said: "It is great news for the community that Audlem Post Office is reopening later this year. I have been pleased to be part of this important campaign, as this is an essential service for local residents and I look forward to seeing the post office back in operation."
Post Office local is a new concept for delivering Post Office services and the new Audlem branch will offer products and services throughout shop opening hours from an open-plan till at the shop counter instead of from a separate screened counter.
The new location for the branch is Lllovely, 11 Cheshire Street, Audlem, near Market Drayton.
This is 200 metres from the former Audlem Post Office at 16 Stafford Street, which closed last year due to operational reasons.
A statement on behalf of the parish council added: "The opening of a post office in Lllovely is a testament to the effort put in by Megan Sheer who had to navigate her way through a very complex application system.
"Special thanks must go to two managers from Post Office Ltd — Denise Nutbrown and Richard Hall — who have done so much behind the scenes to help Megan. Congratulations to you all on a very successful outcome.
"Councillors are confident that everyone will give Lllovely's new post office their full support to help ensure this important community service remains in Audlem."
The Post Office is now inviting customers and interested parties to give their comments on the move in a six-week public consultation.
The branch will open from 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, excluding Wednesday. This will offer 45 hours of Post Office service every week.
The move is part of major modernisation programme across the Post Office network designed to make it easier for customers to do business, through longer opening hours and modern open plan environments.
In order to restore a Post Office service to customers in Audlem as soon as possible, the new branch is scheduled to open on December 4 during the public consultation period.
During the public consultation, Post Office Ltd welcomes feedback on any issues customers would like considered before a final decision is taken on this proposal.
The consultation will close on December 12. 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.
