Sedbergh’s Post Office has relocated to new premises in the town.
It was officially opened in the town’s Spar outlet on Station Road yesterday, Tuesday April 1.
It was forced to move from its previous Main Street home after the postmaster resigned. The branch closed on March 27.
For an interim period to allow for full staff training, the Post Office counter is open from 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday, from 9am until 12.30pm on a Saturday, and is closed on a Sunday.
The hours will expand soon from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.
The Post Office said it will provide 55 hours of Post Office service a week, an extra 13-and-a-half hours than the previous location, plus an end to lunchtime closing.
Services offered at the Post Office counter include letter and parcel handling, personal banking, business banking, bill payments, and DVLA car tax renewal.
Coming soon will be Amazon return and collect delivery services, Euro and US dollar currency exchange, and travel cards.
oyce Cox was one of the first customers to use the counter. She said: “The Post Office is an excellent addition for dropping off parcels as the parking is great.”
Anne and Malcolm Petit said: “Last of the big spenders, we bought some second-class stamps! It is wonderful to have the Post Office retained. It is a very good service for people in Sedbergh and I really hope it takes off.”
Walter Bull said: “It is good that the Post Office services can be accessed here now. I would have been really upset if the Post Office had gone for good. It would have been a major loss, and it would have meant a trip of 10 miles or more to Kendal.”
Post Office partner account manager, Adam Shillcock, said: “We know how important a Post Office is to a community, and we are delighted to have a new home for Sedbergh branch. The longer open hours will make it easier to visit.”
A ribbon and cake cutting ceremony marked the official launch.
