BURNHAM-ON-SEA MP James Heappey has welcomed the news this week that Burnham-on-Sea’s Post Office is to be refurbished and will operate longer opening hours from January next year.

Post Office announced the branch will close for refurbishment on January 7 and will take 12 days to refurbish as part of the organisations modernisation programme.

The new branch will be refurbished with a modern open plan environment for customers and will be equipped with the same products and services but will have longer opening hours and selected Post Office services will also be available at the retail counter during shop opening hours.

Burnham MP James Heappey said: “The Post Office’s network transformation has threatened a number of post offices around the Wells constituency but in Burnham-on-Sea, this transformation is clearly very positive.

“The town’s branch will remain on its current site, continue to be operated by the existing Postmaster, and offer the full range of Post Office services. But it will do so from a more modern shop layout and over longer hours.

“The 8am to 8pm opening hours will be particularly welcome for those who are working or unable to get to the Town Centre during the working day.”

The changes come as part of Post Office’s new modernisation programme, the largest in its history which is underpinned by government investment.

It will see up to 8,000 branches across the UK be modernised and additional investment in over 3,000 community and outreach branches with the aim of creating a more modern retail experience for customers that will include longer opening hours.

In a letter to the Burnham MP, Sue Whittall, the Area Manager for Burnham Post Office said the Post Office is due to re-open on January 19 2017 and any unforeseen schedule changes will be put on posters displayed in the branch to keep customers informed of the changes.

The area manager added that she was delighted the branch was due to change and concluded her letter by saying “We look forward to welcoming customers to their new main Post Office branch.”

The new opening hours for the Post Office are 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday with the branch remaining closed on Sunday.

For more information about these changes visit postoffice.co.uk or call 03457 22 33 44.