A SIX week public consultation has begun to get the views of customers and interested parties over whether Shap Post Office should move.

The Post Office is considering moving the branch 410 metres from its current location to Anderson News on Main Street. The company says it will create 'a modern open-plan local-style branch with extended opening hours'.

If the move goes ahead, the branch would open from 5am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 8am to 12 noon on Sunday. This would be 42 hours a week more than is currently offered.

“We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in Shap 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," said Post Office Regional Manager Suzanne Richardson. “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.”

The consultation will close on February 19 and submissions can be made during the consultation by Freepost YOUR COMMENTS to Post Office Ltd, via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, via the Customer Helpline on 08457 22 33 44 or Textphone 08457 22 33 55.

Customers can also share their views online at postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 264410.