CUSTOMERS are to benefit from longer opening hours and a new look post office.

The Post Office is modernising the branch at McColl newsagents, in High Street, Rayleigh. It will close on October 3 for a week for refurbishment work.

There will be a mix of two open plan counters, four screened positions and a Post Office serving point at the retail counter. The retail point means Post Office products and services will be available alongside shop transactions from 7.30am until 6.30pm Monday to Saturday, and from 8.30am to 2.30pm on Sundays –atotal of 25 extra hours a week.

Will Russell, Post Office regional network manager south, said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in this area of Rayleigh and we are confident the new branch will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.

“The modernisation is part of a major investment programme to convert the Post Office network to new-style branches. This investment, the largest in the history of the Post Office, makes a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”

The new-look Post Office opens on Friday, October 11, at 1pm.

During the refurbishment the nearest alternative offices are Hambro Post Office, 53 Hullbridge Road, Rayleigh, and the Grange Post Office, 105 London Road, Rayleigh.