STOW'S post office facility is moving from Sheep Street following the retirement of postmaster Gillian James after 18 years behind the counter.

A new post office is to open in Stow Times, in The Square, though no date has yet been given for its opening.

There will be a modern open-plan environment with almost 40 hours additional opening time and services accessed seven days a week.

Post Office services would be available during shop opening hours Monday to Saturday from 5am to 5:30pm and on Sunday from 5am to 4pm.

A spokesman for the Post Office said: "During public consultation we received a number of comments from customers and local representatives. Whilst respondents were very pleased that post office services would be retained locally and felt the new town centre location to be ideal, providing ease of access, parking facilities and longer opening times, concerns were expressed about loss of some services and waiting times in the new branch following the move.

"However, the vast majority of services will still be available at Stow. More complex and non-automated services, for instance Passport Check and Send will no longer be on offer, but will still be available at Bourton Post Office. Transactions at local-style branches are designed to be quick and efficient to enable fast and effective customer service helping to minimise queuing. Opening seven day-a week and extended opening hours each day will also help to alleviate queuing times."

Post Office regional network manager Will Russell said: “We understand how important having a post office is to residents in Stow and we are confident this new modern service will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future. This modernisation is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office and marks a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”