Chilcompton residents will benefit from a free bus service taking them to alternative stores while their Co-op and Post Office are under refurbishment.

The Post Office will open a new-style Chilcompton Post Office, with significantly longer opening hours, as part of a whole store refurbishment of the Radstock Co-operative Society’s supermarket, Naish’s Cross, Chilcompton. Post Office services will be provided from a modern low-screened counter at the retail counter and will be available throughout the store’s opening hours Monday to Sunday: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. This is an extra 58 hours and 30 minutes a week, including all day Sunday and Saturday afternoon. The branch would also open significantly earlier and will close much later every day, making it more convenient for customers to visit.

The major refurbishment of the Post Office takes place between Wednesday, 3rd August from 5.30 p.m. and Friday 26th August until 1 p.m. (please note the supermarket closes a week later on 10th August).

To assist customers, Radstock Co-operative Society has organised a free bus service for customers to its supermarket and Post Office in Radstock, with the following time table, pick up from Chilcompton Post Office and return from Radstock Post Office:

Thursday, 4th August, 10 a.m., 12 noon.

Monday, 8th August, 10 a.m., 12 noon

Thursday, 11th August, 10 a.m., 12 noon

Monday 15th – Friday 19th August, 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 12 noon, 4 p.m.

Monday, 22nd – Thursday, 25th August, 10 a.m., 2 p.m.,12 noon, 4 p.m.

The new Chilcompton Post Office will be a local plus branch, offering an

enhanced range of products, including Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide

International parcels and transcash. Customers would still be able to transact manual banking (non-barcoded transactions) for Post Office customers and the 99% of UK bank customers who can access their accounts at the Post Office. Also cheques will continue to be accepted as a method of payment.

Adrian Skinner, 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.”

Alternative Post Office branches include: Midsomer Norton Post Office, 122b High Street, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, BA3 2HU, Radstock Post Office, 3 Wells Road, Radstock, BA3 3RQ.