Post Office confirms return to Mossley

Officials at Post Office Ltd confirmed this week that the new facility will open in the Mace store at Crescent Corner on April 12.

The former branch at the site closed in 2007, but now a range of 'local' postal services are to be reinstated on a trial basis.

A statement issued by the Post Office reveals that a newly formatted open plan counter will be installed in the store, giving customers access to a wide range of services such as automated banking, bill and budget payment schemes, Post Office card account, Postal Orders and postage of letters and parcels. The new service will also offer extensive opening hours - Monday to Saturday 7am - 8pm and Sunday 7am - 6pm - including lunchtimes.

"The trial will run for the next 12 months. During this time Post Office Limited will be carefully monitoring the situation to ascertain if the service meets the needs of the local community. The success of this trial is, therefore, reliant on customers using this service on a regular basis and we will be reviewing the situation, and any feedback received, over the coming months.

"We are confident the new service will meet the needs of our customers in Mossley and would like to thank them for their patience while we have been working to restore services to the area," a Post Office spokesperson commented.

Business owner Gary Burns is delighted that plans to reinstate Post Office services at the store have finally been given the green light.

"I've been working with the Post Office on this idea for the past 14 months and I'm glad it's now coming to fruition. I hope that people support what will be a valuable service for the local community," he said.

Local Alliance Party councillor, Lynn Frazer added: "I am very pleased that there will be provision in the Mossley area of such a valuable local service which promotes social inclusion for the elderly and mothers with young children.

"This trial Post Office will also be a boost to the area in terms of encouraging people to use local shops and services.

"I particularly welcome the fact that there will be extended opening hours during the week and Sunday opening and I would encourage people to make use of this service."