New Post Office opens in Kirkby Stephen with longer hours

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, attended the ceremony on Wednesday, August 7 and cut the ribbon at the former Barclays Bank on Market Street, which closed in May.

The former bank is now a full-time Post Office, providing much-needed services to the community.

Phil Ballantyne, an experienced postmaster from Appleby, has taken charge of the Kirkby Stephen Post Office permanently after operating a temporary service three afternoons a week.

Mr Ballantyne said: "I’d been operating the temporary service whilst I looked for a permanent solution.

"One premises was too small, one had access issues, but this former Barclays Bank location was perfect with room to add retail, to keep a room for banking consultations and to accommodate the Royal Mail office.

"Being open full-time makes it far easier for customers to pop in.

"We are now in the heart of the town which is good for shoppers and businesses to visit and to boost footfall to the other shops and businesses.

"Customers were very grateful that my temporary service had maintained Post Office services to Kirkby Stephen and now they are delighted to have a permanent, full-time service again right in the town centre."

The Post Office will have extended opening hours and house the Royal Mail office (Image: Post Office)

The Post Office will offer 50 hours and 30 minutes of service each week compared to the previous nine hours per week.

These longer hours mean more convenient access to personal and business banking services of all major high street banks and other vital Post Office services.

Retail has also been introduced, offering gifts, cards and packaging alongside the Post Office.

A representative from Barclays Bank is expected to visit for consultations in a room allocated for private meetings with customers.

Royal Mail has relocated its office from the temporary location to alongside the new permanent Post Office in Kirkby Stephen.

People will be able to pick up their undelivered mail and parcels during the opening hours of Kirkby Stephen Post Office.

Mr Farron said: "This is a great cause for celebration that Kirkby Stephen now has a full-time Post Office in the town centre.

"I am delighted to be performing the official opening with experienced postmaster Phil Ballantyne.

"Phil has worked hard to provide a temporary solution and find suitable premises for a permanent branch with room for retail alongside, plus space for Royal Mail’s local office and a consultation room for Barclays to provide private meetings with its customers."

Ian Murphy, Post Office network provision lead, said: "We are delighted to have restored a full-time Post Office service in Kirkby Stephen as we know how important a Post Office is to a community.

"There is a real buzz of excitement in Kirkby Stephen town centre."

The opening hours are now Monday to Friday 8.45am to 5pm and Saturday 8.45am to 1pm.