RESIDENTS are being asked for their views on plans to relocate Tuckton Post Office.

Post Office Ltd says that the move to Tuckton News at 150 Tuckton Road would mean a new-style branch with much longer opening hours – dubbed ‘Post Office Local’.

If the move goes ahead, services would be available from two open-plan tills at the shop counter during the shop’s opening hours, rather than through the traditional separate screened counters.

The Post Office says that the new location is just 112 metres from the current branch at 165 Tuckton Road and the move would be with the current postmaster’s agreement.

If the change does happen, the new branch would be open much longer than traditional Post Office hours – from 6am to 6pm every day.

That amounts to 38 extra hours a week of access to Post Office services, it said.

The proposal is part of a modernisation programme across the network.

Will Russell, the Post Office’s regional network manager, said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in Bournemouth and we are confident that this new modern branch will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.

“The modernisation is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office, and makes a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”

Cllr Eddie Coope, left, one of the ward councillors for East Southbourne and Tuckton, said: “It’s a better location because there’s parking bays outside the newsagent, whereas you can’t park outside the current Post Office.”

A public consultation has now been launched, which closes on November 20. To have a say, write to Freepost Your Comments Post Office Ltd, email comments@postoffice.co.uk, phone 08457 22 33 44 or Textphone 08457 22 33 55.

Alternatively, visit postofficeviews.co.uk and use branch code 25150899.