A NEW post office has opened in Highcliffe after the previous branch closed last year.

Christchurch MP Chris Chope cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the facility at Occasions in Lymington Road.

It is a modern main branch with Post Office services delivered from three counters – two full-screened and a low-screened counter alongside the retail counter of the convenience cards and stationery store. The opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5.30pm.

The previous branch, also in Lymington Road, closed in November 2016 due to the resignation of the postmaster and the planned redevelopment of the block by developers Burry and Knight.

The scheme, which was granted planning permission last December, will see a block of two commercial units with five two-bed flats and seven one-bed flats above, as well as a terrace of five two-bed houses at the rear with parking.

The same products and services will be available at the new post office, apart from the sale of National Lottery tickets.

“It is great news to have a post office in Highcliffe again. A post office is vital to a community, and I know from my constituents how pleased they are with this new branch with welcoming and knowledgeable staff, ” said Mr Chope.

Postmaster Stuart Britton, who has run Occasions with wife Jocelyn for 11 years, said: “Customers have been bowled over by their new branch. We have had lots of very positive feedback.

“We are absolutely delighted with how well it is going with the addition of the post office and how quickly we have become busy. Having a post office within a card and stationery shop is a nice traditional fit and it works really well.

“We have already seen big improvement in our retail sales. We have many experienced members of staff who have worked in post offices before, so we are all set for the busy Christmas period.”

Highcliffe Post Office offers a range of services including car tax, drop and go, passport check and sent, ID verification, foreign currency on demand, travel insurance and Post Office travel money cards, as well as online banking cash deposits and withdrawals for most banks.

Other services include Post Office Card Account withdrawals and sending funds abroad using Moneygram. Customers can also pay bills and top up mobile phones.

Mail services include Special Delivery and Parcelforce Express Service, Local Collect, and home shopping returns. Plus there is a wide range of Post Office financial services products.