A town centre post office which is to close in a month’s time has found a new home at the eleventh hour.

The counter service, which operated from Payden’s chemist in Rochester High Street for several years, is to relocate to the newsagents near the junction of Star Hill.

Bosses at the Post Office have been looking for a site in the town ever since the pharmacy announced in January that it was pulling out.

Town centre forum chairwoman Sarah Tranter said: “We’re absolutely delighted to let you know and congratulate Ritesh of S&J News 190-192 High Street Rochester - at the Star Hill end, who will be hosting our new Post Office from Dec 4.

“It will be a ‘counter on wheels’ for the first 3 weeks. The full counter will be up and running from January 3.

“The forum is really pleased as it should help re-invigorate the Eastgate Quarter after the loss of the old station and Post Office years ago.

“Please keep an eye out on our Visit Rochester UK page for opening times.”

A Post Office spokesman said at the time: "The current operator has resigned from operating Rochester Post Office from November 2023.

“We know how important a post office is to a community and we will soon be advertising the vacancy on www.runapostoffice.co.uk. We would welcome interest from local retailers."

Kelly Tolhurst, MP for Rochester and Strood has played a key role in ensuring the facility remained in the town.

Ms Tolhurst said when the major high street banks made controversial decisions to close, management used it as "an excuse" that the post office would provide an alternative to bank users preferring face-to-face service.

The former Minister for Postal Affairs initially appealed for a community organisation or trader to come forward and take on the "massively important" role.

At one point it was thought the Visitor Information Centre could temporarily take on the role if a permanent site was not found in time.

Paydens employs staff who currently work at the post office.

The nearest other branches are at the Spar supermarket in Maidstone Road, Rochester near the junction of Priestfields and in North Street, Strood.