By Hayley Robinson

A post service is set to return to Milton Regis next month.

Entrepreneur Arun Arulparam, who runs the chain of Kent Mart Convenience stores, will open a counter in his Milton High Street shop at 9am on Thursday, March 17.

There were fears the service wouldn’t return after the former Post Office, next door to Mr Arulparam’s business, closed in July last year following the resignation of the subpostmaster John Stephens.

A public consultation saw a number of residents support Mr Arulparam’s application and Post Office Ltd announced on Friday its decision to reopen and relocate the service from 75- 77 High Street to 79-81 High Street.

Mr Arulparam said: "This will be my first Post Office so I’m looking forward to the challenge."

The news has been welcomed by ward councillor Cllr Adam Tolhurst.

He said: "It is great news that Milton Regis will soon have its Post Office service restored. I was very confident that we would have the right outcome because of the positive communications I have had with the Post Office over these last few months.

"I would, on behalf of the people of Milton Regis, like to thank Arun for stepping forward for the community and wish his business well for the future."

A Post Office spokesman said: "Our priority is to safeguard Post Office services to the local community in the longer term, and the re-opening and relocation of Milton Regis Post Office at this new location allow us to restore access to Post Office services in the area and improve existing facilities.

"The same range of services will continue to be available with the addition of on-line lottery facilities. Customers can still collect benefits in cash using our everyday banking services or Post Office card account."

The Post Office service will comply with disability discrimination legislation and its car parking facilities will remain the same.