Post office to return to Northamptonshire village a year after services were lost

Bugbrooke Post Office closed in February after the postmaster resigned, leaving residents without easy access to a branch.

Now the Post Office has announced the post office will be re-opening at Bugbrooke Pharmacy in Levitts Road on February 9 next year.

The services will be available Monday to Friday from 9am to 6.15pm, which the Post Office says is nearly 10 hours more than the previous opening hours.

A spokesman said the Post Office had consulted villagers on the changes.

“During consultation, we received a number of comments from customers and local. We received comments in support of the move.

“The main feedback expressed concern about the availability of space and privacy within the pharmacy store and possible congestion and the impact this could have on customer manoeuvrability. Other comments related to access into the proposed store, customer privacy, parking and traffic issues.

“We have reviewed parking and there is a car park with 31 spaces with two designated disabled bays. Therefore, we are satisfied with parking,” he added.

“We are working closely with the new operator on the internal layout for clear access into the premises, that the queuing area is free from obstructions and adequate room for customers and wheelchairs to access the Post Office services with ease.

“We are also working closely with the new operator to ensure there is an appropriate level of privacy for Post Office customers through staff training and queue layout. There will also be a consultation room for Pharmacy customers to have more private conversations.”

Sarah Cottrell, regional manager, said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in Bugbrooke and we are confident that 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.”