THE Post Office in Hemyock is set to open an extra 25 hours a week over seven days following refurbishment.

The new-style Post Office ‘local’ service will launch on Thursday, August 4, at 1pm with services provided at a modern low-screened counter.

The branch closes for refurbishment on Tuesday (July 26) at 5.30pm – alternative branches in the area include Wellington Post Office in High Street and Dunkeswell Post Office in Culme Way.

Post Office area manager David Gold said: “We are making it easier for customers to get their cash, send and collect their mail and do their banking because we know how important these services are to local residents.

“We are confident that this vibrant new-style Post Office at the heart of the local community will meet customer needs. This modernisation is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office, and will secure services for the future.”

Services will be available throughout the shop’s opening hours Monday to Saturday 7am-6pm; Sunday: 8am-1pm.

The Post Office network of more than 11,500 branches is the biggest retail network in the UK with more branches than all the banks and building societies combined.

Some 99.7% of the population lives within three miles of a Post Office and 17million customers visit a branch each week.