PEOPLE in Mitchel­dean are up in arms about new proposals for the post office in the village.

Plans have been unveiled to move the post office from its existing location on the High Street to the Old Smithy Stores on New Road, which will not only boost a new modern open-plan branch but also extended opening hours.

The plans are subject to public consultation, and is part of a major shakeup which is designed to make it easier for customers to do business, through longer opening hours and modern open-plan environments.

If plans are approved it means that the post office will be open seven days a week, offering customers an extra 68 hours a week to access post office products and services.

Post office regional network manager for Wales and West England, Tony Jones said: "We understand how important having a post office is to residents in the area and we are confident that this new modern branch will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.

"The proposed changes to the branch are part of a three-year investment programme, the largest in the history of the post office, that will see around 6000 branches (about half the post office network) converting to new-style branches. The investment marks a commitment to no more branch closure programmes."

However, a villager who contacted the Review disagrees and fears that the village will lose its heart. "For many generations, the post office and shop has been at the heart of the village. While the move to the Old Smithy Stores is good for those at the Abenhall end of the village, it will be a great inconvenience for those in the middle and the Lea end to put it mildly.

"Firstly, for elderly people going down the narrow pavement on Hawker Hill to the main Gloucester road and using the crossing is a hazardous journey, especially in the winter. Secondly, for car users there is little car parking and getting off the main road is difficult. All in all, for the majority of people having the Old Smithy Stores as the post office is the wrong place. The fairest place would be in the middle of the village near the car park."

During the public consultation 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 Tuesday, June 11.

Submissions can be made during the consultation by Freepost YOUR COMMENTS to Post Office Ltd, via email to [email protected]">[email protected], via the customer helpline on 08457 22 33 44 or textphone 08457 22 33 55.