There are plans for an Island post office to close – and reopen over the road.

The future of Sheppey’s branches has been uncertain since last year when the company announced a major shake-up in the way it runs the service.

As part of a modernisation programme, Minster has been revamped and is now open longer hours and a consultation into proposals to move Eastchurch, at 55 High Street to the nearby Costcutter at number 84, are on-going.

The Sheerness one, in Broadway, is not on the proposed list to be put out for franchising or closure.

We have been reporting for months how Post Office Ltd had received applications from two people interested in running Halfway Houses in their existing business premises.

The firm announced on Friday it has launched a consultation into proposals for it to move from 17-19 Minster Road to the nearby Costcutter shop, over the road at number 4.

Its suggested new location is roughly 60m from its existing home and it would be open for an extra 48.5 hours a week, with services available seven days a week.

If the plans are approved, there would be a new sub postmaster and it would be up to them to appoint workers, although a spokesman for the company said they usually wish to take on existing staff as they need experienced people.

It would mean the new branch, which will be made up in an open-plan style within the convenience store, would be open from 5am to 7.30pm six days a week and be trading from 6am to 2pm on Sundays.

Regional network manager Will Russell said: “We understand how important having a post office is to residents in this area of Sheppey 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 makes a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”

The consultation runs until August 9.

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