POST Office users are being asked their views on plans to move Chard Post Office 150 metres up Fore Street.

People are being asked what they think of plans to shut the existing branch in Fore Street and opening up in an empty building just down the road.

A public consultation is underway until January 27 about siting the outlet in a cards and stationery shop due to open in 12 Fore Street.

Will Russell, Post Office regional network manager (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 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.

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

The new post office would have four serving positions – two openplan, one modern, screened counter and a Post Office serving point.

Opening hours would be extended by six hours a week to 8am to 6pm Mondays to Saturdays and 8.30am to 1pm on Sundays.

Chard Mayor Cllr Jenny Kenton welcomes the move from the existing premises at 37-39 Fore Street. She said: “I will be happy to see the larger shop taken up as it is in the very centre of the town and has been empty for a long time.

“The current post office is small and it is difficult to shop when there is a queue. “Of course, it does mean there will be another empty shop further down, so we do not gain, although it will possibly be taken up by a smaller retailer in the near future.”

County councillor Jill Shortland said: “I am relieved that we will still have a post office in Chard town centre because at some point there was discussion that we might lose it.

“My instinctive reaction is, ‘Thank you for keeping the post office open’, but then I think 'for how long?' “What concerns me is if they move into the premises as part of another shop and that shop moves, we could lose the Post Office from the town centre.

“We need that draw to keep the town centre alive and I am still nervous that it could move out of town in the future.”

  • HAVE your say on the proposals by writing to FREEPOST, Post Office Ltd, e-mail comments@post office.co.uk, phone 08457-223344, textphone 08457-223355 or go online at www.postofficeviews.co.uk and enter branch code 185549.