RESIDENTS in Corfe Castle are being asked for their views on proposals to relocate the village Post Office.

The current Post Office is located in the village square, but bosses want to move it into Corfe Castle Village Stores, where services will be provided from an open-plan till at the shop counter.

Post Office regional manager Will Russell said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in Corfe Castle.

“We are confident this new modern Post Office 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.”

The consultation has already started and will last until May 22. It is proposed, subject to local opinion, to move the Post Office during July or August this year.

A Post Office spokesman said: “This move is part of a major modernisation programme across the Post Office network designed to make it easier for customers to do business, through longer opening hours and modern open plan environments. The change is with the current postmaster’s agreements as he wants to retire.”

If agreed, the new Post Office would be available throughout the shop’s opening hours, Monday to Saturday, 8am-7.30pm, then on Sunday, 9am-7pm.

The Post Office is now inviting customers and interested parties to give their comments on the move in the six-week public consultation.

A spokesman said: “Post Office Ltd welcomes feedback on any issues customers would like considered before a final decision is taken on this proposal. The consultation will close on May 22, 2015.”

Submissions can be made during the consultation by Freepost to YOUR COMMENTS, Post Office Ltd, via comments@postoffice.co.uk, or by calling the customer helpline on 08457 22 33 44.