THE OWNER of a village shop has described the news that his store is to get a full time Post Office facility as “brilliant.”

Customers of Froxfield Stores will receive an extra 66 hours of Post Office services a week, if the plans for the shop in Dellfield get the go ahead.

Shop owner Howard Bevis plans to become the new postmaster for the village and the Post Office facilities will be available during the shop’s normal opening hours throughout the week.

Currently Post Office facilities are only available two days a week in the store but under the proposals the Post Office counter would now open from 7.30am-6pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5.30pm on Saturdays and 8.30am-1pm on Sundays.

Mr Bevis, who is now entering his 10th year of running Froxfield Stores, said: “This really is brilliant news for the shop.

“Having a Post Office facility available whenever the shop is open means this will increase footfall for the shop and also bring more income as I will receive a commission on any Post Office transactions. The economic climate for village stores like mine is very tough at the moment due to online shopping and the services provided by the supermarkets.

“So having these improved Post Office facilities is very important for Froxfield Stores and the financial future of the business.”

The Post Office revealed their new plans for Froxfield Stores last Friday as part of a public consultation they are conducting over the proposed changes.

As well as a new full time postmaster and the extended opening hours for Post Office services, the store itself will also under go some changes to accommodate the new full time Post Office counter.

The introduction of the new hours will mean banking services will now be provided for personal customers and small businesses and a wide range of Post Office services will also be available.

It is proposed that the current part time service will come to an end at 1pm on March 27 and the new full time service will then begin at 1pm on March 29.

All of the proposals are subject to confirmation following public consultation on the plans, which will continue until March 2.

Complete the questionnaire at: www.postofficeviews.co.uk with branch code 247470; write to Freepost Your Comments, Post Office Ltd; e-mail at: [email protected]; call 03457 223344 or Textphone 03457 223355.