A TOWN Post Office will shut for refurbishment in the New Year to re-open with longer opening hours.

The Post Office in Victoria Place, Brightlingsea, will close on January 10 at 5.30pm for work to be carried out, re-opening on January 23 at 1pm.

At the new Post Office, services will be provided from three counters – one full screen, one open-plan and a Post Office service point.

The main counters will be open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm and the Post Office service point will be open Monday to Sunday 8am to 8pm.

This is an extra 37 hours and 30 minutes a week.

While work is underway, alternative branches include:

  • St. Osyth Post Office, 9 Spring Road, St. Osyth
  • Thorrington Post Office, Clacton Road, Thorrington

Peter Wilkinson, Post Office area manager, 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."

The changes are 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.