THE green light has been given for Chiddingfold post office to move into Robert Stores in Petworth Road.

Following a public consultation that closed on January 7, the Post Office gave the go-ahead this week for the move from Pockford Road at a date yet to be finalised.

Post office services will be provided from a dedicated serving point next to the retail counter of the convenience store and will be available during shop opening hours.

Customers of main UK banks can access accounts at the new branch and services include bill payment, cash withdrawals and foreign currency, postage, home shopping collections and returns.

The branch opening hours will be significantly extended. The new opening hours are Monday to Saturday, from 6am to 7pm, and Sunday, from 8am to 2pm.

The move from Pockford Road is with the agreement of the current postmaster.

Jason Collins, Post Office change area manager, said: “We will be making it easier for customers to get their cash, send and collect their mail and do their banking because we know how important these services are to local residents.

“We are confident that this vibrant new-style Post Office at the heart of the local community will meet customer needs.

“This modernisation is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office, and will secure services for the future.”

The number of Post Office branches has dwindled from about 25,000 in the mid-1960s to around 11,500 today.

The government’s network transformation programme is a major investment in, and a large- scale restructuring of, the post office network, to help secure the the network.